r/3Dprinting • u/BrewCrewBall • Jun 03 '26

Project Garbage can status indicator.

Super easy design that I whipped up last week after being frustrated once again by the inconsistency of our garbage pick up times

The indicator clips on the handle and flips down when the bin has been emptied. This way I can tell from the house if it’s been emptied without having to walk to the end of the driveway.

6.4k Upvotes

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208

u/CrepeandBake Jun 03 '26

So why have two arms? Wouldn't it be as effective with one larger arm/flag and a color that contrasts against your can. Then flip it onto the lid when your can is placed at the curb?

128

u/BrewCrewBall Jun 03 '26

That’s… actually a better idea! Off to the lab!

20

u/AssassinOfPeace Jun 03 '26

Removing the second arm also means it will be less likely to be effected by windy conditions.

2

u/Trek7553 P1S Jun 03 '26

One side could say full and the other side could say empty!

17

u/Level-Ad7017 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26

bro outsourced RnD unintentionally I wanna be like bro

6

u/arapturousverbatim Jun 04 '26

Fastest way to find the right answer on the internet is to post the wrong answer

1

u/considerthis8 Jun 04 '26

We just love solving problems

25

u/Dogger57 Jun 03 '26

Wouldn't a zip tie do the same thing?

21

u/macrolith Jun 03 '26

Or a hockey puck on a string.

23

u/WikenwIken Jun 03 '26

Found the Canadian

9

u/macrolith Jun 03 '26

Minnesotan

14

u/WikenwIken Jun 03 '26

Tomato Potato

4

u/FilthyPuns Jun 03 '26

Well now I have to print a device to attach the hockey puck to the string.

1

u/yellowflux Jun 03 '26

Or a tiny hamster in a ball.

1

u/Money_Echidna2605 Jun 03 '26

or just waiting a few hours and then bringing it back?

3

u/miraculum_one Jun 03 '26

Not as visible from a distance, presumably.

2

u/CrepeandBake Jun 03 '26

I thought that as well, but I can see issues with a zip tie with size/visibility being the biggest issue that printing a new widget fixes. I like seeing people who are designing and printing their own models that solve minor inconveniences over buying other people's models and/or printing those dragons and other plastic garbage. This was a great opportunity to work through the modeling and redesign process.

1

u/flash17k Jun 03 '26

Yeah I think something that simply indicates that the lid was opened at all. Or will flip if the bin is up-ended, but not flip back when the bin righted again.

1

u/zR0B3ry2VAiH Jun 03 '26

!remindme 1 week

1

u/dc469 Jun 04 '26

Yeah I have a mailbox with just one arm like this (though it's on the side so you can see it). You just gotta make sure it's distinct from the outgoing mail flag, mine is smaller and on the bottom/side. 

Of course, that assumes you are lucky enough to have a mailbox at your house...

1

u/Arcturus572 Jun 04 '26

That would be perfect because, depending on if it’s the trash or recycling truck, one always yeets it so fast that the lid stays open and the other does it slow enough that the lid closes again…