That's a great question! Using different colors for outdoor trash cans is a key strategy to make public waste sorting intuitive and effective. The most common and widely recognized system uses specific colors to represent different waste streams.
Typically, you'll find:
* Blue bins are almost universally for recyclables like paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, and cans.
* Green bins are commonly designated for organic waste or compost, such as food scraps and yard trimmings.
* Black or Gray bins are usually for general, non-recyclable waste that goes to landfill.
Some locations use additional colors for specific items:
* Red bins might be for hazardous materials or, in some systems, general waste.
* Yellow bins are sometimes used for specific plastics or metals.
It's important to note that color codes can vary by city or country. The best practice is to always check the labels or pictograms on the bins themselves for the most accurate local guidelines. This simple color-coding system significantly improves recycling rates and reduces contamination by providing clear, visual cues at the point of disposal.