When I've had garbage bins with lids I haven't washed my hands after touching them. Now I don't have anything with lids, so it's a moot point. I don't find it gross having an open can because I don't really have anything gross/smelly in there, due to composting. It's basically just some odds and ends non-recyclable packaging, or like a sock with holes in it, that sort of thing, and very little since we try to be low waste. Right now we're producing about one grocery-bag-size of garbage every 1-2 weeks.