That's a practical question that doesn't have a single simple answer, as "typical" varies widely by city and specific location. Generally speaking, most standard public litter bins you see on sidewalks and in parks are designed to hold between 30 to 50 gallons (approximately 114 to 189 liters) of waste. In terms of weight, this typically translates to a safe working load of about 40 to 80 pounds (18 to 36 kg) before they become too heavy for safe collection or risk damage.
The actual weight capacity depends heavily on the material and construction. Lightweight plastic or vinyl bins common in some parks might only handle 40-50 lbs reliably. The more robust steel or heavy-duty polymer bins found in busy downtown areas can often handle 75-100 lbs or more. It's important to note that while a bin might physically hold more weight when packed densely, exceeding the designed capacity can make it unsafe for workers to lift during collection, can damage the bin's structure (like wheels or lids), and often leads to overflow issues that create litter.
For larger, stationary containers like the 2-4 cubic yard dumpsters behind apartment buildings or commercial areas, the weight capacity jumps significantly—often into the 800 to 1,500+ pound range, depending on size and the collection truck's lifting mechanism.
The key takeaway? Municipalities design their waste systems around expected volumes and weights. Overloading a bin, even if it doesn't break immediately, disrupts collection efficiency and creates neighborhood cleanliness problems. If you're regularly seeing bins overflowing, it's usually a sign to local public works that either more frequent collection or a larger bin is needed at that spot.