How much can the Totem Max 60L hold, and is it enough for a family?
It holds 60 liters in total, split between an 8-gallon general waste compartment on top and an 8-gallon recycling drawer below, plus a 0.8-gallon compost bin that sits inside. Living alone or as a couple, expect to empty it about once a week. A family of three or four can make it work but will empty it more often, so whether it is big enough depends on your household.
Does the carbon odor filter need replacing?
Yes, the filter in the lid is replaceable, and Joseph Joseph sells replacement odor filters separately. A good rule is to change it when smells start to linger with the lid closed. The unit itself carries a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects, which covers the bin rather than consumables like filters and liners.
Is this trash can on wheels?
The recycling drawer is. It rolls out on hidden wheels at the base and comes fully out of the unit, so you can take the whole bucket to an outside bin. The unit as a whole is meant to stay in place, and at 9.72 kg empty it is heavy enough not to shift when you pull the drawer.
What comes in the box?
You get the waste separation unit with its two inner buckets, one for each compartment, and the removable compost bin with its lid. Custom-fit liners for the main compartments, liners for the compost bin and replacement odor filters are sold separately.
Is the Totem Max worth the money?
It is expensive for a trash can, and whether it pays back depends on your kitchen. The case for it is the space saved, the odor control and how easy it is to empty. The case against is capacity, and the chance of trouble with the lid. If you have a small kitchen and a small household, it is easy to justify; if you need one big can, it is not the right tool.
How does the lid open, and is it easy to use one-handed?
The top compartment uses a press-top lid: a light press opens it and it lifts on its own, and a press closes it. It works with one hand, or a knuckle when your hands are full. The recycling compartment is a pull-out drawer instead, so there is no second lid to deal with.
