Cans cost 15 to 80 dollars. Most die from loss of wheels or handles or the bottom has a hole worn in it grown too large.
Most of the can is still in useable condition when tossed out.
Service would trade repaired cans for those that need repair.
Maybe 2 or 5 worn out can for each repaired one.
Repair
Steps:
1. sand blast or chemical bath to get down to raw plastic or metal.
2. Welding or riveting on new parts as required. Maybe a remold process or glue on boot could be developed.
3. Adding weights for those cans used in recycle yards as measuring devices.
Background activity: Trading for old cans, lids, wheels, plastic, metals, fasteners needed to continue repairs.
Other uses for worn out garbage cans after a cleaning:
planters, table bases, solar dryers, pet cages, basket ball hoops, feeders, storage bins, targets, toddler playground