Trying to fix my compost bin lid took me a whole weekend

Honestly, I got this fancy compost tumbler last year to cut down on food waste. The plastic latch on the lid broke off, and I figured I could just rig up a new one with some zip ties. Ngl, that was a bad idea. The first batch of ties snapped after a week, so I tried bungee cords, then a metal hook from the hardware store. Nothing worked because the whole hinge was warped from the sun. I spent maybe 12 hours over two days trying to MacGyver it before I finally gave up and ordered the actual $25 replacement part from the company. Has anyone else had a simple green fix turn into a huge time sink like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

charlesowens2mo ago

Twelve hours on a compost lid is wild. I would have thrown the whole tumbler in the trash after the bungee cords failed.

faithg261mo ago

Oh man, @charlesowens I totally get where you're coming from with that thought. I've been there myself more than once, staring at a project that just won't cooperate and thinking about walking away. But honestly, after all that time and frustration, the feeling of finally cracking that lid must have been pretty good. I can picture the whole scene, and it takes a special kind of patience to stick it out for twelve hours on something like that. You're tougher than me, I would have probably given up after the first bungee cord snapped and just left it for the raccoons too. Solidarity to everyone who has ever fought a compost tumbler and lost a Saturday to it.

vals382mo ago

Imagine the raccoons watching this whole struggle and planning their next raid.