Good Trash Can Locations

Good locations for trash can receptacles are places where there are lots of people, such as at busy intersections close to the crosswalks, next to take-out food shops or food vendors, at bus stops, in plazas, outside major building entrances (e.g., offices, department stores, residences) and near other street furniture such as benches or telephones.

The number of trash can receptacles that are needed depends on the number of people who use an area, on the amount of litter generated by different land uses and on the efficiency of the maintenance and sanitation program. On a downtown street, two to four waste receptacles per block is generally sufficient. One should be located at each end of the block next to the crosswalk, and one or two more in the middle of the block if there are benches or take-out food shops.

At an outdoor park area, trash cans are needed near every pavilion or picnic table area. The number of trash cans needed at each area depends on the number of people that could be seated in that area. Usually one to two per picnic area will suffice. There should also be strategically placed trash receptacles around a park area for patrons' convenience.