That's a great question, and it's something more and more city planners are thinking about. The short answer is: many modern urban trash bins are specifically designed to be graffiti-resistant, but not all of them are created equal.
You'll often see bins in parks, downtown areas, or transit stations with a special smooth, non-porous surface. This isn't by accident. These are typically coated with anti-graffiti films or special chemical coatings. The idea is that spray paint or markers can't easily bond to the surface. For maintenance crews, this means graffiti can be wiped off quickly with a solvent or even power-washed away without damaging the bin's underlying material, which is often powder-coated steel or heavy-duty plastic.
Some cities even use a sacrificial coating. It's a clear layer that absorbs the graffiti, and when it gets too marked up, the entire coating is stripped off and a new one is applied, leaving the bin looking brand new. It's a cost-effective long-term strategy.
However, the classic, more porous concrete or rustic metal bins are much harder to clean. Graffiti soaks right in, making removal difficult and expensive, often requiring sandblasting or repainting.
So, while you might still see tagged bins, there's a strong trend toward using "vandal-resistant" designs. It's a constant battle for cities, but these smart designs help keep our public spaces cleaner and reduce maintenance costs significantly. It's a practical solution to a very common urban problem.