That's a great and practical question! The weight of a full outdoor trash bin isn't a single number, as it depends heavily on the bin's size, material, and what you're throwing away. However, we can give you a solid range.
A typical residential 32-gallon plastic curbside bin weighs about 25-40 pounds (11-18 kg) when full of general household waste. For larger 64-gallon wheeled carts, expect 50-80 pounds (23-36 kg).
Stepping up to commercial or public space bins, a full heavy-duty 96-gallon plastic bin can easily reach 120-150 pounds (54-68 kg). Large commercial dumpsters are in another league entirely. A packed 2-cubic-yard metal dumpster can weigh over 1,000 pounds (450+ kg).
The main factors are:
* Capacity: Measured in gallons or cubic yards, this is the biggest driver.
* Material: Plastic bins are lighter empty but can become very heavy. Metal bins (galvanized steel) are heavy even empty.
* Contents: Wet, compacted trash (like yard waste or construction debris) is far heavier than light, dry packaging.
So, while a standard home bin is manageable for one person, always use proper lifting technique. For commercial bins, rely on wheeled carts or professional waste collection services for safety.