Thread: Beware old plastic bulk storage bins

Only the black ones get used here after the same outcomes.

UV resistance, or more likely lack of it, can be a factor. Plastics can often not be as convenient as first thought.

Yep, got a couple in the shed that disintegrated when I went to move them, out of sun so thought that they'd be ok.

Hi,
Boiling water will take the brittle factor out. Try it on a shard that has shattered.
Cheers

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Yep, got a couple in the shed that disintegrated when I went to move them, out of sun so thought that they'd be ok.

Had exactly the same experience this week. Been in the shed for 20+ years, contained only light stuff but just fell apart as I lifted it! Red plastic

Odd, can recall very very old plastic containers - in the shed - tearing apart, but not 'exploding'.

My Conspiracy Theory relates to the foundational urethane / base plastic material from which "everything" today is made. From shoe soles, to clear-coat on car paint, to the soft insert gripping shapes on power tools like drills... to rubberised surface on binoculars and many "things". ALL and more programmed disintegrate at most expensive moment...
No prizes for guessing where this base-material is made... Hint:-- NOT in the US, EU, UK or AU.

I reckon they're laughing at us..
Seriously, a great way to bring costs & inconvenience to one's enemy, by corrupting the most ubiquitous manufacturing material.

Home made Wood and plywood packing cases are looking attractive......

EDIT:- Maybe also the 4 way water manifold in the Sunbeam All in One grinder/Espresso maker, the one sitting forlornly in the shed.

Maybe to be replaced by the ALDI. (Stirling) equivalent going on sale on Wednesday.

Originally Posted by loanrangie

Yep, got a couple in the shed that disintegrated when I went to move them, out of sun so thought that they'd be ok.

Hello Loan Rangie,

The container that exploded on me had only ever been exposed to the sun when it was carried between the house and the shed then the storage container. Even when it was being used inside each site it was not exposed to direct sunlight. Just yet another product with deliberate obsolescence included as part of its manufacturing process.

I am now off to a second hand store where I saw an old container made out of metal that I looked at a couple of weeks ago and thought 'now that would be handy and it is reasonably priced'. I hope in the interim no one else thought the same thing and they have walked out the door with it. Fingers crossed - see ya!

Update 1: Bugger - it was sold.

Update 2: I then went to the local Tender Centre and found a steel mesh crate that has a thicker gauge than the one I saw a couple of weeks ago. I put a bid in on the one I saw today. Today's crate has a reserve price that is half the cost of what the other crate was on sale for. Locally the second hand place in question is known to put extortionate prices on their stuff too. Well, I will see how I go when the successful bidders are announced on Sunday night. Finger crossed....


The only trouble is now I could have an addiction other than Land Rovers and studying ... where the new one could be going each weekend to the local Tender Centre and placing bids on stuff! Those places should carry community health notices about the risk of possible addiction. Oh ... I could use one of those - scribble down a bid. Analysis of scrap metal prices and cost of construction... what would seem like a ridiculously low price and possible new price ... estimate a happy medium... Is that too much? I could have bid lower on the stuff I won last week; especially since I was the only bidder.... Oh, that item of interest from last weekend is still here. Now, if I put a bid of $1.00 more than the reserve last week I could have won that! What is the bet that a new person comes along and puts $2.00 more on it this weekend and wins it! Hmm... some warning bells and Robot B-9 the Lost in Space robot is waving his arms about going "... Danger, Will Robinson, Danger ".

By the way - the voice of Robot B-9 was Dick Tufeld (1926-2012) here is a tribute to Dick accessed 7th October 2023 from, Dick Tufeld Tribute 1926-2012 - YouTube I might have just watched the show a couple of times when I was a kid... okay it was compulsory viewing.

Kind regards
Lionel

get a galvanised steel one.