It wouldn't be as secure.It would be chewable plastic which could become an escape risk if chewed large enough,along with not being very healthy if it were ingested after said chewing!
If you plan on having future hamsters it is definitely worth getting the tools and materials to make mesh lids.A wood burning knife can be used to cut the hole,these can be very cheap,and they can also be used on DIY toys to make letters or designs.They can usually be used to cut stencils out of plastic as well,so for painting toys this could help instead of freehanding.Zip ties don't cost much at all,and mesh isn't expensive either considering how much you can get with a whole roll.
You could make carriers,travel cages,etc with bins and these things,so it definitely wouldn't be a waste of money
