I only started the game a few days ago, so I don't have much money yet, but it was clear that the townspeople desperately needed some trash cans, so I bought three of the wooden bins and placed them where I'd found a lot of trash.

Two of the bins still look the way they did when I placed them, but one of them looks as if it's full, since it has a mound of trash on top of it. I tried tapping the bin to empty it, but that didn't do anything. I tried using the shovel and the butterfly net on it, but that didn't do anything. I doubt one empties a trash bin with an axe, a machete, a pickaxe, or a watering can, but I guess anything can happen in a game world.

I don't have to use a demolition order and place a new bin, do I? Because that would be stupid and ridiculous, and I really hope the game isn't stupid and ridiculous!

You simply don't empty trash cans, nor you're supossed to

Thanks for letting me know!

The mayor already has a lot of janitorial work to do, so I'm relieved to hear that she doesn't have to empty the trash bins, as well.

I agree, it would be painful if we had to do it after all those drudgery stuff

Hi Corylea. Hydra14 is absolutely right (thank you Hydra14!), the mayor does not have to empty the trash bins.

If you decide you want to move any of the trash bins (or other upgrade item you've placed in the town) just hold your finger on it for 3-5 seconds to enter placement mode, then move it to where you'd like it and confirm the new location. The demolition order would be used for a town upgrade that you want removed from your town and not have it placed in your mayor's pockets. I hope this helps!

The trash cans empty themselves. In fact, seeing empty trash cans means they're not placed in the best position to catch litter and it might be best to move them to "litter hotspots".