My compost bin lid cracked in the heatwave last August

I was in the middle of turning my pile in Phoenix (where it hit 115 that week) and the plastic lid just shattered when I tried to pop it off. Turns out direct sun and cheap recycled materials don't mix well, so now I have a pile of rotting veggie scraps sitting open. Does anyone have a recommendation for a durable lid or a DIY fix that can handle extreme heat?

2 comments

2 Comments

ruby49415d ago

Did you try painting the lid white or covering it with something reflective before it cracked? I've seen folks in Arizona wrap their bins in an old reflective windshield shade to keep the plastic from getting brittle in that direct sun. Curious if your bin was in full sun all day or if it had some shade from a wall or tree that just wasn't enough.

morgan.nancy15d ago

...and that's the thing, most people don't think about the angle of the sun changing through the seasons. Back in June my bin was in full sun from noon till about four, but now with the sun lower it's actually getting an extra hour or two of direct afternoon light. That small shift might be why mine cracked, @ruby494. I had a big oak tree that gave it some shade in summer but once the leaves dropped... well, you get the picture. So even if you think you've got it covered one month, come fall that shade spot might turn into a little oven for your plastic.