I bought mine from the city about 11 years ago for $10. Plastic thing that is now falling apart. Cracks exist where little to medium rodents are breaking in and feasting. City is offering another composter for $20. Figure it's time for a replacement.
I thought plastic lasted forever. I had to bolt mine back together a couple of years ago when the little plastic rivets gave out, and it's still doing fine. Now that the city picks up yard waste and compost every week, most of our stuff is being dealt with that way. The kitchen pail goes out every couple of days, and I add trimmings when I've had the time to make some. Not having any lawn clippings any more makes a huge difference. I still have the two big piles I made from leftover pallets, but I don't add any food waste to those that would attract critters. Well, not the big ones, anyway. The bugs and worms seem quite content.
Sun is the great enemy of most plastics. My composers are about ten hers old, but taped together with good silver tape,, maybe get a pulled more years. Web rotate between two, and use them for kitchen stuff, plus the chicken house bedding and manure. Add a bit of water to the compost and it gets hot fast with the chicken shit. In the summer compost is done in a few weeks. Icarus
I replace mine every 6 years or so. However, since I use discarded pallets, they cost me next to nothing.
No self-respecting rodent is going to be slowed down by a little tape. The ones around here are kept in check by 1/4" hardware cloth and the fear of dog.
I hope mine gets at least 10 years, since I got it from Home Cheapo for like $100. I just need to remember to spin it every couple days and see how it goes. It's got 2 chambers and I filled one side up with leaves and a few kitchen scraps (I don't usually have many).
My dad's is a hole in the ground ... a kind of 'pit'. Working since the early 1970's. He's now in his 80's. I think I'll likely be the one that ends up having to bury both of 'em. .
I use four wire circles about 4 ft across. I just pull them up,set them where I want them, and fork the compost back in to turn it. I don't do kitchen scraps, just yard waste. I've been using these things for about twelve years and they're still in fair shape. As I understand, plastic life can be extended by a UV protectant like paint or armorall or even shade. Shade also keeps compost moist longer.
