Trash Buddy - Dog Proof Trash Can Lock - The Easy-Install Solution for Securing Your Outdoor Garbage Can Lid - Still EMP

As the headline says, this was easy to install and it works like a charm. A provided template shows you exactly where to attach the screws; no pilot hole drilling is required, the provided screws screwed into the plastic trash bin easily with a screw gun.We've had it installed for over 8 trash cycles and it has performed flawlessly. Nothing has spilled when the bin has blown over in the wind and everything dumps out when the bin is inverted by the garbage truck. We have two, one installed on the trash can and one on the recycle bin. Very pleased.

Before I get started let me say that I'm a retired carpenter and that I installed the trash buddy correctly following the included directions. Here's my review.Great idea in theory. However, doesn't work in reality. Loved the idea and had great hope it would work. Sadly, I had an early morning knock on the door by my trash collector telling me to remove the trash buddy because as he pointed to the mess on the street he told me they just don't work! They're great for keeping dogs out and for preventing wind from opening them but unless you have a heavy load of trash the lid won't fully open and will either leave debris in the can and or on the street. He suggested turning the can around and it could still be picked up turned backwards or if I really wanted to install something I could attach a weight or block of wood to keep the wind from blowing the lid open. But that does nothing for keeping dogs and critters out of the trash.

Like others, have constant issues with wild animals - mainly raccoons. Sadly, these don't work. They get inside can, rip trash to shreds, even pull stuff out to feast on top of can. Even caught one in the act, who was hanging out inside having a fine dinner. Straps just not strong enough to hold down lid given design, since it is an elastic bungee cord of about 1/4" diameter. Need something that LOCKS down lid.

This wasn't that hard to install. When I first looked at the package I started laughing, because the "easy installation" looks very complicated. But it is really not. We have had a problem with dogs getting in our trash ever since we bought this house 7 years ago, but they seem to be out of luck now....no delicious trashy treats for them! The trash guys wouldn't pick it up the first week, I had to tape the front panel of the package onto the top of the lid so they could see what it was (they don't mess with secured lids or we would have been using bungee cords all along). So far I haven't been in the yard picking up trash on a Monday morning (that's trash day and also when neighborhood dogs know to make their "rounds") in two weeks! I got this at a heavily discounted price in exchange for a thorough testing and honest review. When I do "sample" reviews i ask myself if the priduct is worth the full price, and in this case, I say yes! My only complaint is that I had to go a week without trash pickup until I had the bright idea of taping the front of the packaging to the lid.....

So far so good.1) No racoon activity around our compost bin with this installed over the first week. The past 3 weeks in a row, the 'coons got into the compost bin either on pickup day or before, dumped a bag outside the can and then feasted on it. They have never been able to flip this can as it usually has a lot of heavy leaves and branches in the bottom but do get inside and take out what they want. Not this week.2) Confirmed that the robot pickup arm on the trash truck that inverts the can when the truck drives by allows it to open and empty into the truck as advertised.** Update after 3 pickups - still no critter activity.

Was hoping this would keep Javalina out of my trash can but they literally got the bungee completely undone. Product came with good instructions, on time delivery just didn't work for my needs.

This does not work against raccoons. I rarely write reviews, but want to warn those looking at this product for purpose of stopping raccoons to look for a different solution, straps or clamps would work. Don't waste your money.Update 8/18/17I used on city issued 96 and 64 gallon cans, properly installed, and animals still opened can, if can falls and trash goes against lid it will still open. Raccoons I was attempting to keep out probably laughed at me. Save your money, buy a cheap $10 set of ratchet straps and use those, they will work much better, can will be Fort Knox, NOTHING will get in. The straps come with ample length to serve purpose of wrapping around entire can or attaching to top lips on large cans. One of the cans I have doesn't have lips I can attach to so I put one side on the bar that is on front of can and other side I hook or wrap around handle used to pull can on back, ratchet one or two times and nothing gets in or out unless you want it to. I just remove strap once I pull can to curb, and place back on only when can contains trash. Over the past year I have heard and seen evidence of very frustrated raccoons who were unsuccessful at attempts to get in, one night I heard them trying for over an hour before giving up and going elsewhere. If I get a chance I will post pictures of how straps should be applied.

Worked for a while (~6 months), but raccoons eventually figured it out. I think the cord stretched over time. Looking at either buying a trash hideaway or securing with straps.