Algreen Products Soil Saver Classic Compost bin

I read as many reviews I could on Amazon on this bin. I took each persons suggestion seriously. This morning I put it together. The first suggestion was to go to the hardware store and purchase Stainless Steel 1/4" mushroom top screws and nuts. Take the plastic bag of nuts and bolts (12 pairs) with you so the salesperson can help you if you are clueless as I am. Plastic bolts and screws do not hold up over time. Keep the plastic wrench which comes with the kit, it's handy.2nd) Every insertion hole check for incomplete openings. The process of taking each side or lid parts out of the mold at the factory, sometimes the insertion holes are not completely open. Have ready a hammer, a metal file and use as needed. Line up the lid parts, I had incomplete "flashing of plastic" that my husband used the metal file down to smooth it out. The holes should all line up perfectly. Do a "dry" fitting before doing the handle. The lid has a "locking" system. It's really nice because it works or it looks like it could work. You will note that each bin side on the top has an insertion slot for the locking system. Follow the instructions to attach the locking system together on the lid. This part is an easy line up and snap together.3rd) Lay out all sides flat and you can configure where you want the door to open. My choice was side by side not front to back. It's how my compost holding bin is located. Please note: that the mushroom screws have a square configuration under the mushroom. This aways faces the outside.4th) Line up the holes place the screw and hand tighten them together by hand top then bottom. Once it's all sides are up. Used the Plastic nut wrench and tighten up each set of screws + nuts. Then place the bin where you need it.Compared with my old compost bin I got at HD which at that time the only one they had. This bin is at least 2x heavier than the HD bin. It's better constructed and the walls are ridged. Where the HD bin had no supporting bar connecting the door opening on the bottom of the bin and the walls were thin. The bar on the bottom on each door opening gives the door more strength for this area. The HD bin had no support bar at the bottom of the opening and it's that area that gave way. The plastic started to buckle and spread apart and door had a hard time opening and finally not closing. My compost bin sits on top of my compost finish bin. The HD bin had a configuration of door in the front and back. Now I have the bin doors basically side by side. This should help me clear everything inside in an easier fashion. We shall see.Thank you for all the reviewers who helped me in putting this bin together, your details were the best.I hope this will be helpful for you.

I'm sure there are many people like me; you want to start composting but picking a bin is just a total hassle. The prices are unbelievably high on some, should I get one that tumbles, it's big so shipping will be expensive too, etc. I was at Home Depot and bought a unit that was on sale but it was really flimsy so I returned it. Costco had one but it looked like a giant alien space ship; I like my neighbors too much for that. This unit seemed like an okay price, straightforward design, price a little high, but I finally decided it was the best of the ones I'd seen.Bottom line: I really like it and I'm happy with my purchase. The plastic is recycled (kudos) and thick so it's sturdy. Assembly was easy with plastic bolts and nuts (so they don't rust) and they provided the tool. Took me 15 minutes and I was drinking beer - put a screw in, take a sip of beer, contemplate, repeat. About 12 screws. Design is very well thought out IMO.Some notes: It has no bottom, which I expected. It has rain holes on top, not sure if that will be enough but I could add more. Comes with a very basic composting guide but helpful. It has two doors along the bottom which I opted (read: didn't notice until I was done) to put on adjoining sides but could have put on opposite sides. The knobs you see on top are the locks, one on each side, nothing it getting without turning the whole thing over, e.g. bear, dog, etc. Comes with a 25 year warranty!!! Made in Canada. I think this item is made for Sam's Club and I've seen good prices on it at their site but it was out of stock everywhere.As an aside, compost doesn't stink. I received my kitchen bin first and started saving stuff. It adds up fast, you'll be amazed. So I needed a place to store it when that filled up and used a bucket and lid out on the porch, in the sun. Two weeks later it still didn't smell, fruit, veggies, cereal, coffee grinds, eggs - nothing...See my pics of the unit above!