Our area finally got compost pick up! I’m very happy about it. I started looking for a small compost bin to fit appropriately in our little NYC kitchen. We had an 18 year old stainless steel step can and a dollar store basket for recyclables. The more I looked, the more I wanted a better solution. When I came across this and read the reviews it seemed like exactly what we needed. And it is! It fits very well in our little kitchen. And it looks so much nicer than the hodgepodge we have been living with for so many years.The only downside is the expensive custom bags. Our previous 4 gallon trash bags don’t fit the square configuration. We also have some 8 gallon bags, and they fit but seem like extra plastic waste since they are a bit bigger. We will use up ... MoreOur area finally got compost pick up! I’m very happy about it. I started looking for a small compost bin to fit appropriately in our little NYC kitchen. We had an 18 year old stainless steel step can and a dollar store basket for recyclables. The more I looked, the more I wanted a better solution. When I came across this and read the reviews it seemed like exactly what we needed. And it is! It fits very well in our little kitchen. And it looks so much nicer than the hodgepodge we have been living with for so many years.The only downside is the expensive custom bags. Our previous 4 gallon trash bags don’t fit the square configuration. We also have some 8 gallon bags, and they fit but seem like extra plastic waste since they are a bit bigger. We will use up the sample bags they gave us and the 8 gallon bags we already have on hand, then make a final decision about how we want to handle the waste in future. We don’t use a bag for the recycling, we just take it directly to our building collection. The can also comes with little Bags just for compost that are apparently acceptable to our local pick up pick up. But it doesn’t seem like too much trouble just to dump the compost directly into the big collection bin and give it a rinse without using more bags.

Disappointing compared to the previous version

I received the Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L Waste & Recycling Bin nicely. I am just a little disappointed in the product when comparing it to the previous version!I have had the previous version of the Totem bin for years and used it with great satisfaction. However, I find this newer version a whole lot less sturdy and solid! This applies to the whole size and certainly to the lid. The lid sounds like thin tin when closed, and I have the idea that you push a dent in it in no time. It is also very unfortunate that the bottom bin does not connect well to the top bin, there is a gap between them and that is not pretty. You can see the trash bag and from a certain angle also the trash when the bottom bin is full. The Totem bin is also a lot lighter, so it moves quickly ... MoreI received the Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L Waste & Recycling Bin nicely. I am just a little disappointed in the product when comparing it to the previous version!I have had the previous version of the Totem bin for years and used it with great satisfaction. However, I find this newer version a whole lot less sturdy and solid! This applies to the whole size and certainly to the lid. The lid sounds like thin tin when closed, and I have the idea that you push a dent in it in no time. It is also very unfortunate that the bottom bin does not connect well to the top bin, there is a gap between them and that is not pretty. You can see the trash bag and from a certain angle also the trash when the bottom bin is full. The Totem bin is also a lot lighter, so it moves quickly from its place. And there are little scratches on it very quickly. It is definitely convenient that you can hang the lid of the green bin, only the green bin itself is very small compared to the previous version and I can't put many vegetables in it.So all in all, I don't think I would have bought this version of the Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L Waste & Recycling Bin if I had seen it in real life beforehand. This is very unfortunate because I was very satisfied with the previous version.

Good but also annoying

Having wanted one of these for several years, I treated myself to a 70th birthday gift during Black Friday.I would say that on the whole it’s a ‘thumbs-up’ from me re: convenience and space-saving, but with 2 niggles:• The top compartment is fixed. The lower one is a ‘wheelie-bin’ which can be rolled out to fill or empty. My solid matt-tiled floor is level, but when I return the bin to its original position, I have to manipulate it back into the correct position, and then fiddle with it throughout the day because it’s always straying forward or sideways out of line with the upper compartment, making it look like a 2 drawer filing cabinet with one drawer that won’t close up properly. The lower one seems to stick out a fraction even when in the correct position - ... MoreHaving wanted one of these for several years, I treated myself to a 70th birthday gift during Black Friday.I would say that on the whole it’s a ‘thumbs-up’ from me re: convenience and space-saving, but with 2 niggles:• The top compartment is fixed. The lower one is a ‘wheelie-bin’ which can be rolled out to fill or empty. My solid matt-tiled floor is level, but when I return the bin to its original position, I have to manipulate it back into the correct position, and then fiddle with it throughout the day because it’s always straying forward or sideways out of line with the upper compartment, making it look like a 2 drawer filing cabinet with one drawer that won’t close up properly. The lower one seems to stick out a fraction even when in the correct position - not quite in line with the top -see pics.• I wish it had come with a movable separator for at least one of the compartments to maintain separation of different materials, e.g. paper/ plastic. I am using an old plastic chopping board for the purpose, but it’s not quite wide enough to be totally effective.

Great design, needs some work

I really love the design of this bin, which has two decent-sized sections for recycling and ordinary waste as well as a small insert bin for food waste. It looks good and generally functions well.However, it has a major flaw in that the top compartment has a clip-opening lid which seems to stop working after a period of time, meaning that you have to manually lift the lid each time that you open it. If this issue could be fixed I wouldn’t hesitate if giving a 5-star review.Having said that, Joseph Joseph have been great about replacing the bin for me, without quibble. I have noticed that the warranty is getting shorter though - the last one that I had (purchased about 2 years ago) had a 10-year warranty, whereas my most recent one (replaced this year) has a 3-year ... MoreI really love the design of this bin, which has two decent-sized sections for recycling and ordinary waste as well as a small insert bin for food waste. It looks good and generally functions well.However, it has a major flaw in that the top compartment has a clip-opening lid which seems to stop working after a period of time, meaning that you have to manually lift the lid each time that you open it. If this issue could be fixed I wouldn’t hesitate if giving a 5-star review.Having said that, Joseph Joseph have been great about replacing the bin for me, without quibble. I have noticed that the warranty is getting shorter though - the last one that I had (purchased about 2 years ago) had a 10-year warranty, whereas my most recent one (replaced this year) has a 3-year warranty, despite the fact that it is exactly the same product!

Heart breaking

I have had a Joseph Joseph Totem waste bin for 10 years but it was sadly showing its age.I wrongly assumed that this bin would be of similar quality, given the price increase and the reviews on line, but how I wish we had the ability to visit a John Lewis store to see the item before buying it.What was a solid surround is now a small bar at the back. Nudge it inadvertently and the bins slide out. The containers are flimsy, especially the food waste bin, which isn't large enough to hold much vegetable waste. The lid used to be stainless steel, now it is plastic and needs constant wiping as any drop of water, ie from vegetable peelings, stains and needs attention.Caveat emptor, see in store before parting with your money. As another reviewer said 'I wish I could ... MoreI have had a Joseph Joseph Totem waste bin for 10 years but it was sadly showing its age.I wrongly assumed that this bin would be of similar quality, given the price increase and the reviews on line, but how I wish we had the ability to visit a John Lewis store to see the item before buying it.What was a solid surround is now a small bar at the back. Nudge it inadvertently and the bins slide out. The containers are flimsy, especially the food waste bin, which isn't large enough to hold much vegetable waste. The lid used to be stainless steel, now it is plastic and needs constant wiping as any drop of water, ie from vegetable peelings, stains and needs attention.Caveat emptor, see in store before parting with your money. As another reviewer said 'I wish I could return it'.

High quality

Really like this bin - it’s fairly expensive but I did save some money on Black Friday so thought I’d give it a try. I’m very glad I purchased this - I use the top for general waste and the odour filter works brilliantly. The bottom slides out on wheels, doesn’t get stuck and is very smooth. Both compartments have removable inner buckets which makes it easy to empty - I take the whole bottom section out to my bins to sort my recycling. I was worried that it may not hold a lot and would need emptied very frequently. This certainly isn’t a problem with the general waste but I do find the recycling compartment can fill up very fast for us unless we make an effort to squash cans and plastic bottles and break down larger cardboard boxes. If Joseph Joseph ever made a ... MoreReally like this bin - it’s fairly expensive but I did save some money on Black Friday so thought I’d give it a try. I’m very glad I purchased this - I use the top for general waste and the odour filter works brilliantly. The bottom slides out on wheels, doesn’t get stuck and is very smooth. Both compartments have removable inner buckets which makes it easy to empty - I take the whole bottom section out to my bins to sort my recycling. I was worried that it may not hold a lot and would need emptied very frequently. This certainly isn’t a problem with the general waste but I do find the recycling compartment can fill up very fast for us unless we make an effort to squash cans and plastic bottles and break down larger cardboard boxes. If Joseph Joseph ever made a taller version of this with a larger bottom compartment I would definitely upgrade, but it’s probably not a bad thing to sort the recycling frequently anyway.Overall, it’s high quality, holds more than enough for our 2 person household and looks much nicer than the old kitchen bins I’ve had before!

I would buy this again.

I like the stacked style and the lower drawer slides in and out easily. I am using the top with a grocery bag liner for plastic recyclables and the bottom, without a liner, for paper recyclables (because paper is heavier). I am using the compost compartment with a plastic bag for garbage/landfill because I already have a small compost bucket in my kitchen. I can remove the lower bin when I need to move the unit to clean the floor. With just the top bin (lighter with plastics), it is easy to move. It has to be lifted to move. The orange bins are easy to remove and good for carrying the recyclables to the outdoor blue recycling bins.

Lid broken within 3 months poor warranty service

Within 3 month of usage, the bin lid hinge was broken and it can’t open without physically lifting the lid. Contacted customer service to claim warranty, but they pushed me away to the authorised seller. Contacted the seller, they pushed me back to Joseph Joseph. At the end, Joseph Joseph would only talk to us through the seller as the middle man to pass on messages. It’s inconvenient and poor customer service. They refused to replace the whole bin when it’s clearly a product quality defect and only offered to replace the lid that we have to assemble/change on our own. At this premium price point, it’s unacceptable for this level of customer service of a brand new product with defects and quality issues 3 months after purchase and well within the 3 years warranty ... MoreWithin 3 month of usage, the bin lid hinge was broken and it can’t open without physically lifting the lid. Contacted customer service to claim warranty, but they pushed me away to the authorised seller. Contacted the seller, they pushed me back to Joseph Joseph. At the end, Joseph Joseph would only talk to us through the seller as the middle man to pass on messages. It’s inconvenient and poor customer service. They refused to replace the whole bin when it’s clearly a product quality defect and only offered to replace the lid that we have to assemble/change on our own. At this premium price point, it’s unacceptable for this level of customer service of a brand new product with defects and quality issues 3 months after purchase and well within the 3 years warranty period.

Product I now can't contemplate life without - delivered seamlessly

This was a second purchase of a JJ Totem bin. The price is crazy but I could not now live without the life enhancing design of this bin. No-one else puts 2 recycling bins and a food waste caddy in one neat stack.The design has changed a bit with the tower both bins previously lived in now replaced by a sort of stand. The lower bin is therefore not as enclosed as on the earlier model, but does slide out more freely. The lid is slightly convex plastic instead of flat stainless steel- maybe easier to keep clean, but the curve is inexplicable and not as good looking. The catch feels less robust than previously- so will jave to handle that carefully.The dividers that used to be provided are no longer supplied, but clip points under the rim of the bottom bin allow two ... MoreThis was a second purchase of a JJ Totem bin. The price is crazy but I could not now live without the life enhancing design of this bin. No-one else puts 2 recycling bins and a food waste caddy in one neat stack.The design has changed a bit with the tower both bins previously lived in now replaced by a sort of stand. The lower bin is therefore not as enclosed as on the earlier model, but does slide out more freely. The lid is slightly convex plastic instead of flat stainless steel- maybe easier to keep clean, but the curve is inexplicable and not as good looking. The catch feels less robust than previously- so will jave to handle that carefully.The dividers that used to be provided are no longer supplied, but clip points under the rim of the bottom bin allow two separate bags to be used in that one.Overall - still pricey but still worth it!

Superior craftsmanship, but could still be improved to allow hands-free opening

Kinda love this bin! The bottom drawer is on wheels, so it slides back in so nice and smoothly. The top is at a pretty good height too. I'm 5'10" and don't have to bend too much, if at all, to access the top section. Two additional things would make it incredible: a sensor for the top bin, and a way to pull out the bottom drawer with your foot (a cavity of some description?), so that the bin could be opened hands-free.I've gone through other bins because the opening mechanism has become faulty. This one's still going strong and I've had it for probably 12-18 months now.