That's an excellent and practical question! For a standard 50-gallon urban trash can—the kind you commonly see curbside—the weight when empty is surprisingly light. Most of these are made from durable, molded plastic like high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
On average, an empty 50-gallon plastic trash can weighs between 18 to 25 pounds (8 to 11 kilograms). The variation depends on the specific design, plastic thickness (gauge), and any reinforcing ribs added for durability. They're engineered to be heavy-duty enough to withstand weather and rough handling but light enough for most adults to move easily when empty.
It's worth noting that while plastic is standard, some commercial or heavy-duty versions might be made of metal. A galvanized steel 50-gallon can would weigh significantly more, potentially 35-50 pounds (16-23 kg) empty, but these are far less common for regular residential use.
So, the next time you wheel your bin to the curb, remember you're maneuvering about 20 pounds of cleverly engineered plastic, ready to hold up to 200 pounds of waste when full. Its lightweight empty design is exactly what makes the task manageable.