That's an excellent and practical question! For most standard public outdoor trash cans, like those you see in parks, on sidewalks, or near building entrances, the typical capacity ranges from 20 to 55 gallons.
The most common size you'll encounter is the 32-gallon receptacle. It offers a good balance between capacity (reducing the frequency of emptying) and practicality (not being too heavy or bulky for maintenance staff to handle). For higher-traffic areas like popular parks, transit hubs, or event spaces, you'll often see larger cans in the 44 to 55-gallon range.
Several factors influence the chosen size:
* Location & Traffic: A quiet sidewalk bench needs a smaller can than a bustling food court plaza.
* Collection Frequency: How often can maintenance crews empty it? A larger bin may be needed for less frequent pickups.
* Lid & Design: Cans with small openings (like for bottles) or animal-proof lids might have a larger total capacity to compensate for reduced filling speed.
* Material: Heavy-duty metal or concrete cans are often permanently installed and larger, while plastic ones might be more standardized.
So, while there's no single mandated size, if you're picturing a standard standalone public bin, thinking 32 gallons is a very safe bet. The key for city planners is choosing a size that prevents overflow between collections, keeping our shared spaces clean.