Random Sims excessively kick over trash cans with no relationship or provocation
Issue Description:
Random Sims in the neighborhood, including those with no relationship to the active household, repeatedly and autonomously kick over the household trash can. The behavior occurs regardless of the offending Sim's mood, relationship status, or whether they have been invited onto the lot. The frequency increases dramatically during parties, where guests may kick over the trash can 3-4 times in a single event.
Expected Behavior:
Autonomous trash can kicking should be a rare occurrence limited to specific conditions, such as:
- A Sim having a negative relationship with the household
- A Sim being in a Furious or angry emotional state
- A Sim with the Mean or Mischievous trait acting out
Random passersby and party guests with no relationship or provocation should not autonomously kick over the trash can. The behavior should not occur repeatedly during a single event.
Steps to Reproduce:
- Place a standard outdoor trash can on a residential lot.
- Allow Sims to pass by the lot naturally, or host a party with multiple guests.
- Observe the trash can over time.
- Note whether random Sims autonomously kick it over.
- Attempt to pick up the kicked-over trash can.
Actual Result:
- Random Sims with no relationship to the household autonomously kick over the trash can.
- Party guests repeatedly kick over the trash can, sometimes 3-4 times per event.
Additional Notes:
- This is a well-documented community complaint. Players on Steam forums describe the behavior as "tiresome," noting that "people hardly ever do this in real life, and you can't stop them" . Another player noted the behavior has increased over time, suggesting "some update messed it up" .
- The kicking interaction appears to be tied to the game's Mean autonomy system. A mod from 2016 included trash can kicking under "No auto mean/mischief" interactions .
- Players have identified workarounds, including:
- Using the NanoCan Touchless Trash Can (which cannot be kicked)
- Building a fence around the trash can and locking it to household-only access
- Hiring a butler to handle trash management
- Multiple mods exist to disable the behavior entirely, including "No Autonomous Kick Over Trash Can" and "SimsKiller | STOP KICKING MY BINS!!" .
Impact:
Moderate to High. The behavior is immersion-breaking and creates unnecessary gameplay disruption. Players must constantly monitor and replace their trash cans, and the behavior escalates during social events when the player is focused on managing guests. The illogical nature of random strangers kicking over a private trash can reduces immersion and frustrates players who want a realistic Sims experience.
