Outdoor trash cans seem simple, but they face a surprising amount of wear and tear that can lead to their premature failure. Understanding these common causes can help you choose better products and extend the life of your bins. The main culprits behind a broken outdoor garbage can typically include:
1. Material Degradation from Weather: Constant exposure to sun (UV rays), rain, snow, and extreme temperatures is the number one enemy. Plastic becomes brittle and can crack, while metal is prone to rust and corrosion, especially if the protective coating is scratched.
2. Physical Impact and Rough Handling: Being knocked over by wind, hit by vehicles, or handled roughly by garbage collection crews can cause cracks, dents, and broken lids or wheels. Overloading the bin with heavy waste significantly increases this risk.
3. Chemical Damage from Waste: The trash itself can be corrosive. Food waste, cleaning products, and other chemicals can accelerate the deterioration of both plastic and metal, eating away at the material over time.
4. Poor Design and Low-Quality Materials: Cheaply made bins with thin plastic, weak seams, or flimsy lids and hinges are simply not built to last. They often fail at the stress points first.
5. Lack of Maintenance and Cleaning: Failure to regularly clean and inspect the bin allows grime, moisture, and corrosive substances to remain in contact with the material, speeding up the degradation process.
By being aware of these factors, you can take proactive steps like choosing bins made from UV-resistant materials, not overfilling them, and performing routine cleaning to get the most out of your outdoor waste containers.