I am at a loss as to how the linked storage bins are supposed to make sense; given that so much of the game is devoted to making aspects of the game so close to reality, it seems a little odd that such a thing would not be explained in the game so as to not result in that carefully crafted immersion being broken. What do you think?

I think it makes as much sense as not being able to hold two plants of the same type at the same time. Or having a back pack that can gold more items.

Yeah, just don't use them if you don't want to - items don't despawn from the ground anyway, so it's all good. I for one welcome the presence of this feature, as I don't quite have as much time for gaming as I'd like to and backtracking isn't exactly something I want to do with my gaming time.