Many many months ago my husband James and I had a bit of a domestic ding dong over a bin. He had bought this battery operated thing that you waved your hand in front of and it opened automatically. Great in theory, only it stopped working after a fortnight so we had to send it back to get a replacement.

The replacement worked intermittently, and often would just lift it’s lid up of its own accord – wafting a stale odour of goodness knows what around our kitchen. It was also really difficult to get the bin bag in and out, not unlike a wrestling match with what is essentially a heavy slippery stinky cylinder.

For a fairly long while I had requested we purchase what is essentially a very spendy bin. A £219 bin to be precise – The Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Separation & Recycling Totem in grey. Much like I imagine some of your reactions having just read the previous sentence, James laughed out loud and accused me of being completely ridiculous when I announced we were getting one, whether he liked it or not. And when he returned from a stag do in Vegas, the smelly cylinder had been replaced by my much coveted Totem.

The way I see it, is that anything you use on a regular basis, within reason, should be as pleasurable to use as possible, and certainly not an eyesore. Our current kitchen design means a bin is very much on show and having a toddler means our trips to it are frequent. Not only does the totem look quite nice (I am well aware it’s essentially a waste disposal unit, I’m not about to inflict unnecessary hyperbole about it being “beautiful”) but it has a mark resistant stainless steel lid, a carbon filter than helps to eliminate odour, a removable food waste caddy AND a multi-purpose draw in the base that’s perfect for separating all of your recycling. Removing and replacing liners is quick and straight-forward, my wrestling days are thankfully well and truly over.

It’s been a great buy. And even though James wasn’t convinced initially, I think he’s come around. I bet if I spent that much on a semi-fancy handbag, or a new coat, or a buggy, no-one would bat an eyelid. This was a practical approach by H&J Long Island Junk Removal, and was unequivocally mundane, it doesn’t half raise some eyebrows.

A bin is equally as useful to me as my handbag, and my coat. And Mabel’s buggy.

What do you think about your bin? Ever been tempted to splash the cash on something boring yet practical to make your day to day chores that little bit easier?

I’m semi amused by the fact I’ve written a feature on a bin, my how times have changed. And if it’s been the dullest post you’ve ever had the misfortune of reading, here’s an amazing coat from the new Kids Autumn drop at Zara. You’re welcome. I’ve just bought it for Mabel, obviously.

P.S. Bet my bin was WAY cheaper than a stag do in Vegas.