Bins that cost almost $30,000 to be tested across US city

New rubbish bins that cost almost $30,000 for one prototype will be tested in a major US city as it tries to tackle a smelly problem.

A US city council has spent four years developing a street bin, which has a staggering $US20,900 ($A29,750) price tag, after struggling with a massive rubbish disposal problem.

The pricey bin is one of six new designs that are part of a trial in San Francisco, Califonia, as the city attempts to tackle its long-time public waste issue.

Two other custom-designed bins, which cost taxpayers $US18,800 ($A26,760) and $US11,000 ($A15,500) respectively, will also appear on streets, alongside three other styles of off-the-shelf bins, ABC News reported.

This custom-designed bin cost taxpayers almost $30,000 each.

The city has so far deployed 15 of the various types of bins, asking residents for feedback via a QR code displayed on each model.

Whichever bin is declared the favourite by the end of the trial will have 3000 units permanently installed at a cost of between $US630 ($A890) and $US2,800 ($A3,960) each.

🗣️ Did you hear? The future of #SF trash cans are in your hands! Three custom designs & three off-the-shelf models will be part of the 60-day prototype testing. Whichever we choose will fit our target mass-produced cost of $2,000-$3,000.

Find out more at https://t.co/XGwIszX6Dcpic.twitter.com/JnhZYp4r8A

— San Francisco Public Works (@sfpublicworks) August 5, 2022

Currently, bins in San Francisco have long been seen as inadequate because they have a large opening that makes it easy for people to rummage through.

They also require frequent repairs because of their hinges, while the locks are easy to break.

Bins are regularly targeted by vandals who cover them in graffiti, set them on fire or push them over.

The most expensive of the bins in the trial is the Soft Square design, which cost $US20,900 ($A29,750) to develop, and has openings for both rubbish and for can/bottle recycling, and has a foot pedal.

The next most expensive was the Slim Silhouette which cost $US18,800 ($26,760) for a prototype.

“We live in a beautiful city, and we want [the rubbish bin] to be functional and cost-effective, but it needs to be beautiful,” San Francisco’s Department of Public Works spokeswoman Beth Rubenstein said of the project.