That's a great question, and honestly, it's something most people don't think about until they have to do it. The comfort of lifting a full urban trash can really depends on a few key factors.
First, the design of the handle itself is crucial. Many modern public bins feature ergonomic, curved handles made from molded plastic or coated metal. These are generally more comfortable than old-fashioned, thin metal wire handles, which can dig into your palms, especially under heavy weight. A wider, contoured handle distributes the pressure better.
The material matters too. Rubberized or textured plastic provides a much more secure and comfortable grip than smooth, cold metal, particularly in wet or cold weather. It prevents your hand from slipping.
However, the biggest factor is the bin's weight when full. Even the most perfectly designed handle won't make lifting an overflowing, 50-pound bin of trash "comfortable." It becomes a task of functionality, not comfort. The handle's primary job is to provide a secure point of leverage to tilt and empty the bin, not to carry it like a suitcase.
From my observation, while designs have improved for safety and hygiene (like hands-free pedals), the lifting handle is often a compromise between durability, cost, and user comfort. For a regular person taking out household-level bagged trash, it's usually fine. For sanitation workers handling dozens of heavy bins daily, the comfort level is likely low, highlighting the need for continued ergonomic innovation in public infrastructure.
So, in short: they are *functional* and better than before, but "comfortable" might be stretching it when the bin is completely full. The goal is more about secure, manageable lifting rather than pure comfort.