The Best Large Kitchen Waste Bins in Australia

If you’re looking for large kitchen waste bins because rubbish keeps overflowing and recycling is taking up another corner, we’d choose the Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L. Its separate rubbish and recycling compartments, removable food-scrap caddy and vertical layout address all three problems, with independent recommendations behind the choice.

It’s also the dearest pick here. For a cheaper way to separate rubbish and recycling, the Cefito 60L is our value choice; if you want one roomy rubbish compartment, choose the Amazon Basics 50L. The two 30-litre choices suit lower-volume households.

The best kitchen bins in Australia

• Best for rubbish, recycling and food scraps: Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L
• Best for a smaller kitchen with recycling elsewhere: Brabantia NewIcon 30L
• Best budget choice for large-volume sorting: Cefito 60L Dual Compartment
• Best for one large rubbish compartment: Amazon Basics 50L
• Best for lower-volume rubbish and recycling: Amazon Basics 30L Dual Bin

Product		Price
	Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L Stainless-steel Waste & Recycling Bin (30060)	from $299.95 at Amazon	$299.95 at Amazon
	Brabantia NewIcon Pedal Bin 30L (114441)	from $199.95 at Amazon	$199.95 at Amazon
	Cefito 60L Pedal Bins Rubbish Bin Dual Compartment Waste Recycle Dustbins (RB-60L-2C-BK)		Unavailable
	Amazon Basics 50 Liter / 13.2 Gallon Soft-Close (GF43050L)	from $119.90 at Amazon	$119.90 at Amazon
	Amazon Basics 30L Dual Bin Soft-Close Trash can with Foot Pedal (RCJ43060L)	from $93.91 at Amazon	$93.91 at Amazon

1. Best for rubbish, recycling and food scraps: Joseph Joseph Totem Max 60L

When separating waste means finding room for several containers, the Joseph Joseph Totem Max makes the strongest case for spending more. You get two 30-litre compartments, so rubbish and recycling each have their own space rather than sharing one bag.

Joseph Joseph says the vertical design maximises capacity in a compact space. That should appeal if you want to organise waste without spreading bins across the kitchen floor. The removable food-waste caddy also gives scraps a separate place while you’re preparing dinner.

Good Housekeeping recommends it for separating rubbish, recycling and food scraps while saving floor space.

Our take is that the extra cost makes sense when you’ll use all that separation. If you already have a food-scrap container and recycling is sorted elsewhere, you’re paying for a system you don’t need.

Our verdict: Buy the Totem Max if you want one organised place for rubbish, recycling and scraps. Choose the cheaper Cefito if two compartments will do.

2. Best for a smaller kitchen with recycling elsewhere: Brabantia NewIcon 30L

If recycling already has a home and you don’t want a large sorting unit beside the cupboards, consider the Brabantia NewIcon 30L. Its 30-litre capacity suits someone choosing a smaller rubbish bin deliberately, rather than trying to accommodate every waste stream in one unit.

The removable bucket should make cleaning less awkward because you can lift it out. Brabantia’s soft-closing lid is also a useful feature if a slamming lid bothers you.

Good Housekeeping recommends the NewIcon as a decorative choice with a slim shape, soft-closing lid and easily cleaned inner bucket.

Our take is that this is worth considering for its shape and cleaning convenience, but it’s an expensive way to buy 30 litres. Both the Cefito 60L and Amazon Basics 50L cost less.

Our verdict: Choose the NewIcon if you want a smaller rubbish bin with an independently recommended design. Skip it if capacity for the money is your priority.

3. Best budget choice for large-volume sorting: Cefito 60L Dual Compartment

Recycling shouldn’t mean buying an expensive sorting system. The Cefito 60L Dual Compartment gives you two 30-litre spaces for less than half the price of the Totem Max, making it our value choice for keeping rubbish and recyclables apart.

Pedal operation should help when your hands are occupied, while Cefito says the soft-closing mechanism keeps closing quiet. Our take is that these are useful everyday features without the cost of the Totem’s more elaborate arrangement.

It was ranked number 1 in In-Home Recycling Bins on Amazon Australia when we checked. That supports its inclusion, but a sales rank doesn’t establish how owners rate it.

Our verdict: This is our budget recommendation when you need substantial space for both rubbish and recycling. Buy it for the layout and price, with the missing owner rating in mind.

4. Best for one large rubbish compartment: Amazon Basics 50L

If recycling goes elsewhere and your rubbish bag keeps filling before you’re ready to empty it, we’d choose the Amazon Basics 50L. You get 50 litres in one compartment, rather than capacity divided between different waste streams.

The stay-open lid should make bag changes easier, and the removable bucket gives you access to the inside for cleaning. Our take is that this is a sensible buy for someone who wants room for rubbish without paying for sorting features.

It was ranked number 1 in Kitchen Waste Bins on Amazon Australia when we checked.

Our verdict: Buy this if your main problem is running out of room for rubbish. The Cefito makes more sense when you need rubbish and recycling together.

5. Best for lower-volume rubbish and recycling: Amazon Basics 30L Dual Bin

You may want to separate waste without buying more capacity than you’ll use. The Amazon Basics 30L Dual Bin is our lower-volume sorting choice, with two 15-litre buckets that lift out by their handles.

The catch is the size of each bucket. If one waste stream fills quickly, the unused space in the other compartment won’t help. It costs less than the Cefito, but the Cefito doubles the total capacity for a modest increase in price. Our take is to choose this one only when smaller compartments suit your routine.

This model was ranked number 1 in Kitchen Waste Bins on Amazon Australia when we checked.

Our verdict: Choose it for lower-volume rubbish and recycling. If you’re replacing a bin that already fills too quickly, pay the difference for the Cefito.

How we chose

These reviews are based on owner ratings where available, maker specifications, independent recommendations, and price and stock checks. We found no independent owner rating at the retailers we check for any of these five picks, so independently recommended products come first. The remaining choices are included on Amazon Australia sales rank and ordered by their features, capacity and price.

Every pick was in stock at Amazon Australia when checked, and Amazon Australia is the only retailer listed as stocking each model in the supplied data. Check the warranty and returns terms before ordering, including how Brabantia’s advertised guarantee applies to your purchase.

Kitchen bin buying guide

If your rubbish keeps overflowing, check capacity per compartment

The best kitchen bin for you needs enough room for the waste you actually produce. A total capacity figure can hide an important difference: the Cefito’s 60 litres is divided into two 30-litre compartments, while the Amazon Basics 50L puts its capacity into one rubbish container.

If recycling already has a separate home, favour the single large compartment. If both streams need organising, divided capacity is more useful.

If sorting waste takes over the floor, choose a layout first

Decide whether you need space for rubbish, recycling, food scraps or all three before choosing a bin. The Totem Max is our recommendation for keeping those three together; the Cefito offers a cheaper two-compartment arrangement.

Check your council’s collection rules before deciding what goes in each compartment. A bin’s layout doesn’t change what belongs in your recycling or food-organics collection.

If you’re considering built in kitchen bins, measure the cupboard

Built in kitchen bins need to work with the cupboard opening, door movement and available space. None of these listings specifies a cupboard-mounting system, so don’t assume a bin can serve as a fitted pull-out unit.

Measure the usable space and allow room to open the lid and remove the bucket. A capacity figure alone won’t tell you whether a bin fits.

If cleaning puts you off, look for an accessible bucket

A removable bucket lets you reach the inside without cleaning around the entire outer housing. Check how you’ll lift it out, where you’ll wash it and whether you have enough clearance above the bin.

Don’t assume a bucket is dishwasher-safe. Follow the maker’s cleaning instructions.

If your hands are usually occupied, choose pedal opening

A pedal lets you open the bin while holding scraps or packaging. A stay-open lid serves a different purpose: it helps when you need access for longer, such as replacing a bag.

Choose the mechanism for the task that annoys you most.

If smells are the problem, plan for emptying as well as the lid

A bigger bin gives you more storage, but you don’t need to wait until it’s full to remove food waste. A tight lid or filter should complement regular emptying and cleaning.

If you choose a filter-equipped bin, check replacement-filter availability and cost before ordering. The purchase price isn’t the whole cost of keeping that feature working.

If money is tight, pay for the capacity you’ll use

For large-volume sorting, we’d spend the modest extra over the Amazon Basics 30L Dual Bin and choose the Cefito. For rubbish alone, the Amazon Basics 50L avoids paying for a more elaborate separation system.

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• The Best Kitchen Compost Bins for Organic Waste Recycling