CITIBIN containerizes publicly-created trash with an attractive, durable solution
Even the best-managed public spaces deal with trash overflow, illegal dumping, and the rodents that follow. CITIBIN was built specifically for these challenges: trash receptacles and enclosures that lock waste away between pickups, eliminating the food source that keeps rats coming back, and elevating the streetscape in the process. Most trash receptacles on the market are plastic, wood, or steel, materials that crack, warp, and rust. CITIBIN is crafted from powder-coated aluminum.
Built to outlast all of them.
If we can handle Times Square, we can handle anywhere
CITIBIN launched its municipal line in 2022 in response to New York City’s war on rats. The first location was one of the most famous places in the world: Times Square. The Mayor held a press conference, gestured to the CITIBIN enclosure at his side, and announced the start of a trash revolution. With 360,000 visitors a day, thousands of bags on the curb, and one of the most punishing urban environments in the world, Times Square put CITIBIN to the test. Since then, millions of trash bags that otherwise would be on the curb are containerized. If CITIBIN enclosures can make it there, they can make it anywhere. Times Square was our big break, and now CITIBIN can be found in cities, parks, and Business Improvement Districts nationwide.
BasketPlus is a modern take on the public litter basket
The public litter basket hasn't changed much in decades. A standard litter receptacle fills up fast. Then bags pile up on the sidewalk, streams mix, and the whole block looks like a sanitation failure. BasketPlus fixes that. Modules connect directly to each other — configure for trash, recycling, composting, or add a sidecar enclosure that holds full bags right at the curb until collection. Clear signage keeps every stream separated. Built for the real demands of BIDs, parks, and public spaces. The City of Baltimore replaced every downtown litter basket with it.
Containerization keeps trash off the curb until collection
Publicly-created trash accumulates fast in parks, plazas, and commercial districts. Litter baskets collect it — CITIBIN enclosures consolidate it. Trash from across a public space feeds into containerization points, held securely until sanitation crews arrive for pickup. No bags on the curb. No open containers for rats to feast on. Just a structure that does what a dumpster does, without looking like one.
The right size depends on volume. Tell us how many bags your space generates, and we'll tell you exactly how many modules you need. Prefabricated sizing makes it simple. This 4-module large enclosure holds 32 bags.
Composting that's visible, accessible, and cohesive with the streetscape
When cities expand composting into public spaces, design and functionality matter just as much as access. CITIBIN composting enclosures are modular, lockable, and designed for high-visibility public settings. Built to support consistent, everyday drop-off use while maintaining a cohesive streetscape presence. CITIBIN worked directly with Boston to design the composting bins for Project OSCAR, a 24-hour community food scrap drop-off program giving residents easy access to composting in shared spaces.
Turn waste containment into a conversation starter
Trash receptacles can be a canvas for district branding, artist collaborations, and community announcements. Functional infrastructure that works 24/7, visible to every passerby, refreshable each season without replacing a thing. Waste containment as a conversation starter.
Many Business Improvement Districts in New York use CITIBIN as a canvas for their branding. Pictured is Union Square, which went with a bright, fun wrap reminiscent of a candy store.
CITIBIN’s high-touch customer and installation services
We make the entire process effortless and straightforward from first call to final install. Our team covers the NYC metro directly, and we have a trusted nationwide network ready to go for projects anywhere in the country. Easy, step-by-step instructional videos are available for those who prefer to DIY.
We provide free proposals and renderings, and do in-person visits when possible.
Built to keep out rats
A CITIBIN is basically a huge cabinet made from sheet aluminum, welded and bent to keep rodents out. Rats have hated CITIBIN since we came on the scene in 2012.
Durable & rust-resistant
Since day one, CITIBIN has been crafted from powder-coated sheet aluminum with bamboo composite siding throughout. Premium outdoor infrastructure that lives outside year-round without warping, rusting, or requiring constant upkeep.
A unique offering: matching planters
A Citibin enclosure makes the streetscape both cleaner and greener. We're the only trash enclosure with planter options. We do sidecar planters that are custom and built-to-order, and even planters built into the top door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What municipal products does CITIBIN offer?
What municipal products does CITIBIN offer?
We make three categories of products for public and commercial spaces:
Trash enclosures are architectural units that house wheeled bins — the same bins used for trash, recycling, and compost collection. They're designed for residential buildings, BID-managed streetscapes, parks, and institutions.
Containerization corrals are collection points for bagged trash before pickup — think of them the way you'd think of a USPS collection box. Instead of bags piling on a curb or sidewalk, a containerization corral gives the block a designated, enclosed staging point. They're used by buildings, BIDs, and city programs that need to manage high bag volume between collection cycles.
BasketPlus is our litter basket — a modern, modular alternative to the standard corner basket, built to the same design standard as the rest of our line.
We also make planters, and can configure products for composting programs and high-traffic public environments.
Tell me more about BasketPlus
Tell me more about BasketPlus
BasketPlus is CITIBIN's litter basket — designed as a modern, modular alternative to the utilitarian corner basket that most cities have been using for decades. It integrates with the rest of our product line aesthetically, so a BID or parks department can have consistent design language from the litter basket to the trash enclosure to the planter. Ask us about BasketPlus for your streetscape.
Tell me more about containerization corrals.
Tell me more about containerization corrals.
A containerization corral is a collection point — a designated, enclosed staging area for bagged trash or recycling before it's picked up. Think of it the way you'd think of a USPS collection box on a corner: rather than bags scattered across a curb or stacked against a building, you have one organized point where everything goes. Corrals are used by buildings, BIDs, and city sanitation programs that need to manage high bag volume between collection cycles without letting it degrade the streetscape. We've deployed them as part of NYC's Clean Curbs program across all five boroughs.
What door and lid types are available?
What door and lid types are available?
We configure enclosures based on how they'll be used. Options include top-opening doors and front-opening doors, and combinations thereof. For municipal installations, the right configuration depends on your trash collection method, pedestrian access needs, and how often the units are serviced. We'll help you spec the right setup.
What lock types are available?
What lock types are available?
We offer several locking options depending on the application — ranging from no lock (for public access), to keyed locks for controlled access, to more robust options for high-theft or high-vandalism environments. Tell us your context and we'll recommend the right hardware.
Who typically buys CITIBIN for municipal use?
Who typically buys CITIBIN for municipal use?
BIDs (Business Improvement Districts), parks departments, city agencies, universities, and large residential developments. If you manage public space and care about the relationship between trash infrastructure and streetscape quality, we're a fit.
Can you handle large orders?
Can you handle large orders?
Yes. We've worked on multi-block deployments across all five NYC boroughs and scaled up for institutional clients across the country. Lead times and pricing depend on order size; contact us with project specs and we'll work up a quote.
Can CITIBIN products be customized for a city's streetscape standards?
Can CITIBIN products be customized for a city's streetscape standards?
The metal core structure stays the same. The siding can change — vinyl wraps, custom colors, alternative finishes. We can match custom RAL colors and work with specific palette requirements. Reach out early in the design process; custom work takes more lead time.
Does CITIBIN make planters for public spaces?
Does CITIBIN make planters for public spaces?
Yes. Our planters are designed to match our enclosures in material and finish, so a full streetscape installation has visual consistency from the litter basket to the trash corral to the planter. They come in standard sizes, including very large formats that function as dividers between pedestrian areas and the street — a practical way to add greenery, delineate space, and improve the look of a block all at once. They're a natural complement to any BID or parks streetscape project.
What maintenance do municipal enclosures require?
What maintenance do municipal enclosures require?
It depends on how much trash you're moving. We recommend power washing public CITIBINs as often as needed, as any public fixture — the whole point is that they beautify a streetscape, and a grimy enclosure does the opposite. For high-traffic locations, regular cleaning is part of the maintenance plan.
Are CITIBIN products available through cooperative purchasing contracts?
Are CITIBIN products available through cooperative purchasing contracts?
We're pursuing Sourcewell contract eligibility, which would allow municipal purchasers to buy without a separate competitive bid process. Contact us to ask about current procurement options for your jurisdiction. Some CITIBIN products are available on Grainger, and later in 2026, Lowe’s.
Do you work with composting programs?
Do you work with composting programs?
Yes. We've been a vendor for Boston's citywide composting program, Project Oscar. We understand the specific demands of composting-specific enclosures: odor management, bin access, and high-visibility public use. If you're running or planning a composting program and need purpose-built infrastructure, contact us.
How do I specify CITIBIN products for an RFP or design project?
How do I specify CITIBIN products for an RFP or design project?
Product spec sheets are available on each product page. For custom configurations or spec-writing support, contact us directly. We work regularly with landscape architects, urban designers, and procurement teams.
What's the lead time for municipal orders?
What's the lead time for municipal orders?
Lead times depend on order volume, customization, and current production capacity. Standard configurations ship faster than custom orders. Contact us with your timeline early — production can bottleneck if you wait.
Are products ADA-compliant or available in accessible configurations?
Are products ADA-compliant or available in accessible configurations?
Accessibility requirements vary by product. Contact us with your specifications and we'll discuss what's achievable within our product line.
Are you WMBE certified?
Are you WMBE certified?
Yes. CITIBIN is 100% woman-owned and a certified NYC WMBE (Women and Minority-Owned Business Enterprise).
Do you offer installation services?
Do you offer installation services?
Yes. We have a full-time installation team in the NYC area and a nationwide network of trained installers for projects outside New York.
Can you provide references or show us installations?
Can you provide references or show us installations?
Absolutely — and we encourage it. We're happy to provide references from BIDs, city agencies, and parks departments, along with photos and specific addresses for installations you can visit. If you're in New York, you've likely already walked past a CITIBIN — the city is our showroom. We also welcome site visits to our Brooklyn showroom at Industry City. Contact us to set something up. Also please check out our list of clients, here.
