That's an excellent and quite observant question! You've actually touched on a subtle but growing trend in urban design. Yes, there absolutely are urban trash cans specifically designed with dark-colored or black interiors, and the primary reason is exactly what you guessed: to maintain a cleaner visual appearance.
The logic is simple but effective. Public trash bins deal with all sorts of messy waste—leaky coffee cups, food wrappers, and general grime. On a traditional light-colored or stainless-steel interior, every spill, stain, and smudge becomes highly visible almost immediately after cleaning, making the bin look perpetually dirty and unkempt. A dark interior, often matte black, helps to visually mask these minor stains and liquid residues. What would be a glaring coffee ring on a white surface simply blends into the shadowy interior of a dark bin.
This design choice is more than just about aesthetics; it has psychological benefits. A bin that *looks* cleaner is often treated with more care by the public. People may be less likely to casually toss litter around it, contributing to a neater overall environment. It addresses the "broken windows theory" at a micro level—well-maintained fixtures encourage better civic behavior.
You'll find these bins in various materials. Powder-coated steel is common, where the dark finish is baked onto the metal for durability. Some are made from molded plastic with integrated dark pigments. They are increasingly used in city centers, parks, and upscale commercial districts where urban aesthetics are a priority.
So, to answer your question directly: not only do they exist, but they are a smart, practical solution cities are adopting. The next time you're out, take a closer look at a public bin—you might be peering into a strategically dark interior designed to make your city look just a bit tidier.