That's a great question, and one I wondered about myself before investing in a couple of pedal bins for my patio and garage. After using them daily for over two years through all seasons, I can give you a pretty honest breakdown.
Overall, the mechanism has held up much better than I expected. The core spring and hinge assembly on my stainless steel models are still going strong. The action is still smooth – a firm press with your foot opens the lid, and it closes without slamming. There's no squeaking or sticking, which was my biggest worry.
The real test has been against the elements. My main bin is under a covered patio but still gets humidity and temperature swings. I've had zero issues with rust on the pedal or the internal mechanism. The powder-coated or stainless steel parts on quality models make a huge difference. A cheaper bin I initially tried for the garden shed did develop a rusty squeak on its pedal hinge within a year, so material quality is absolutely key.
For long-term durability, two things matter most: weather exposure and your maintenance habit. If the bin is in direct, constant rain and sun, any mechanism will degrade faster. Simply wiping down the pedal area during cleaning to remove grit and debris helps prevent wear. I also avoid overloading the bin, as putting too much weight on the lid while pressing the pedal seems like it would stress the hinges.
So, would I buy another one? Absolutely. The convenience of hands-free operation outdoors is still fantastic. The key is choosing a bin built for outdoor use with rust-resistant materials for the pedal system. With that, it's a feature that proves to be surprisingly durable and reliable over time.