Yes, absolutely—but I’d phrase it carefully. No stainless steel surface is truly fingerprint-proof forever, especially in a busy city where hands, rain, dust, and food waste all leave marks. What you can get is stainless steel that hides fingerprints well and cleans up easily.
The most practical approach is to choose the right finish. A brushed, bead-blasted, or matte stainless steel finish scatters light and breaks up oily smudges, so fingerprints are far less visible than on a mirror-polished surface. Many urban trash cans already use brushed 304 stainless steel for this reason. For coastal cities or harsh environments, 316 stainless steel offers better corrosion resistance.
Then add an anti-fingerprint coating. These are usually thin nano-coatings or clear protective layers that reduce oil and dirt adhesion, making the surface easier to wipe clean. They don’t make fingerprints vanish completely, but they make maintenance much more manageable. A powder-coated stainless steel bin can also be a good option if appearance is a priority, though you lose the bare metal look.
Design details matter too. Recessed handles, foot pedals, touchless lids, and darker or textured surfaces reduce direct hand contact. Public bins also need to resist graffiti, scratches, and cleaning chemicals, so the coating should be durable enough for outdoor use.
So yes: urban trash cans can be made from stainless steel that doesn’t show fingerprints prominently. The realistic goal is a low-maintenance, fingerprint-resistant finish rather than a magical surface that never shows a mark.