That's a great question! When you look around neighborhoods, you'll notice a definite trend. The most popular color for residential outdoor trash bins, by far, is a simple, practical dark green, gray, or black.
The reason is mostly about practicality. These darker, neutral colors are excellent at hiding dirt, scuffs, and stains that inevitably come from handling garbage and being exposed to the weather. They don't show wear and tear as easily as brighter colors, so they tend to look cleaner for longer. From a visual standpoint, these subdued tones blend more discreetly with the natural environment of a backyard or the side of a house, maintaining curb appeal.
It's also worth noting that many waste management companies provide standardized bins to residents, and they often choose these universal, non-offensive dark colors for mass distribution. Some homeowners' associations (HOAs) even have rules specifying acceptable bin colors to maintain a uniform look in the community.
While you might see the occasional brown or dark blue bin, the classic dark neutrals remain the top choice for their unbeatable blend of discretion, durability, and widespread availability.