Full/Empty Flag for Curbside Waste Bin / Trash Can

This print is designed to solve a minor but mildly annoying problem (and also because it seemed like it would be a fun project). I should note that I have just started using this flag, so I have yet to see how well it will hold up with extended use through a snowy winter.  

My trash container is of the type shown in the photos. It is set out by the curb once a week, at the end of a long driveway, and usually there is no way to know whether it has been emptied yet or not; this little flag device shows when the bin has been emptied, and can be seen from my house some distance away (see photos).

As a side note, if you look at the pictures you will see that my neighbors bin and my bin have both been emptied, although only the neighbors bin has the lid still open. This is typical - sometimes after emptying the lid stays open, and sometimes not, so it is not a reliable indicator.

Assembly and Use

Print 2 of the clips and one flag. The clips go around the lid hinge as shown in the photos, and insert into the slots in the flag (note the orientation of the flag as shown in the photos). The clips are a tight fit in the slots, but can be worked in with a bit of “wiggling.”

To use the flag, flip it to the top of the closed lid on the filled bin. When the bin is tipped upside down for emptying, the flag should flip “down” (see photos).

Print Instructions

Use the 3mf files provided to print in PETG with 0.3mm layer height; otherwise :

• 0.3mm layer height
• 0% infill
• 2 perimeters

I recommend using a highly visible filament color (I used yellow) that contrasts with the bin color.

CAD

The OnShape CAD files for this are here :

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/20e3a250ccbc9a3628f8c6a9/w/616a7be7502a6428c284e048/e/eef68ef3a67fa83509826544?renderMode=0&uiState=65286c8578df916591d70a12