One thing to think about is whether you're in an area that's likely to start offering green waste pickup---that changed our trash volume dramatically. Since 90% of our prep area garbage is food scraps, that doesn't go into the trash, but into either our home compost or our green bin. Between that and recycling, we barely fill up a small trash can every week with landfill garbage, so having a second can wouldn't be super useful---we'd end up with two half-full cans each week. If you fill up garbage more quickly, though, I imagine it could be helpful to avoid multiple trips to take trash out during the week. Having an easy-access compost bin in the prep area could also be hugely useful if you expect to have green waste pickup in the future, too.

Do you have enough storage without the extra drawers? If so, you could always put in a pullout now, and probably convert it fairly easily to interior drawer pullouts (the kind that hide behind the door panel---pretty sure you can retrofit these) if you found you really didn't need it.

I think, to be useful, the island trash would have to be right where you're prepping, preferably next to where you stand. Personally, I prefer an open pail (i.e., I take the lid off) on the floor next to me and a bag for compostables on the counter. Would you like opening and closing the trash pullout to use it while you're prepping? If your aim is good, you should be able to brush things right off the surface and have them fall in the can. Would you like that?

What would be in the alternative drawers? Do you have enough other storage? In my prep area I have a shallow drawer for knives and tiny prep bowls and one for gadgets (specialized cutters, garlic peeler, reamer, etc.). I have two deep drawers, one for mixing bowls and one for graters and colanders. That handles almost all of what I need to prep, and it's only a few steps away from stirrers, scrapers, and bamboo skewers, and from flatware. I also have fridge drawers there. I could easily see that being trash, instead. What do you need when you prep?

Or... Maybe you can do halves? Have a deep drawer with a fitted bin for compostables, since that's the majority of prep trash, and walk to the other trash area for meat remains? Then you could have drawers for prep tools below, or maybe containers and wraps.

I am confused why you would NOT put the DW next to the sink. Does the corner sink not let you have the DW next to the sink?

I like working with garbage bowl (in my case compost bin) on the counter better than having a pull out. I have a pull out and tried to have compost there but the receptacle on the counter makes less mess on the floor and is more efficient for me. I know someone that works with a compost receptable on the floor (out of the pullout) while working. I find that having a pull out that is pulled out while working in the kitchen is a hazard. Therefore, one has to pull it out and close it constantly while working, which I find inefficient and requires steps that can be avoided if the receptacles were out on the counter while working.

We do not use garbage disposal and have a compost plus city food waste pick up bin. Our garbage is the smallest volume that goes out. We have recycle, compost then garbage in the order of volume going out. If you have a second pull out, you can then use it for recycle or compost even if you end up not using it for garbage.

If you have enough storage for everything else, I would get the second trash pull out. If this is coming from really needed storage, I would NOT.

I also find that trash/compost is well stored under the sink contrarary to what others say in the GW forum. It is a wasted space unless you plan for it well. Since I work with the compost bins on the counter, under the sink is a good storage for these compost bins.
I don't have that much cleaning supply that can go under the sink.... I have a pull out for under the sink and I put two compost bins, DW detergent AND cleaning supplies under there....

Thanks for all your input, everyone...you've given me lots to consider.

We live in a remote town in Alaska, do not have green waste pick up, plus, we live on a bear migratory path so am not real excited about attracting them with a compost pile. I know there are things you can do to keep them away but I just don't want to take the chance.

kaismom: My sink is in the corner - I needed some space to stand in...I will be able to load the dishwasher while standing at the sink. It's far enough away in order for the dishwasher door to be open all the way while loading.

Thanks!

It depends on how much storage you have in the rest of your kitchen and how you prefer to handle your garbage. I like a pail that can move around to different areas. It has a step pedal to open so I don't have to touch the pullout handle as in my old kitchen. I used to hate to try to clean the inside of the garbage cabinet out. It was always a pain and I never felt I got it 100% clean, despite really trying to.

Someone here once said something about paying for a cabinet to hold garbage being silly, and that stuck with me. I have had a pullout and currently don't. I'd never design for one for myself. I know other people love theirs, so it boils down to preference. I also do not like a corner sink and some other things that are popular. To each his own...

What if you just have the one trash can in your prep area and replace the trash by the sink with drawers? The reason I ask is that it seems that the trash between the sink & DW might not be convenient. A lot of times the trash is getting used at the same time as the DW. For example, after dinner, washing dishes, while people are still coming in to dump bones from plates.

The most convenient spot for a trash can is:
a. where it will get used the most
b. where it will not inconvenience anyone else working in the kitchen when it gets used.

I echo LowSpark...if you need the storage and need to eliminate one of the pullouts, I'd eliminate the one b/w the sink & DW.

The biggest mistake I made in my kitchen was to put the trash pullout next to the Cleanup Sink...across a 6' aisle from the Prep Zone. I have found that I use the trash & recycle bins far more often and for longer periods of time when prepping & cooking than I do cleaning up. I end up either piling up all the trash/recyclables while prepping & cooking and carrying them over to the pullout at the end (or when the pile starts to get in the way) OR traipsing across the aisle to throw things out each time...sometimes dripping the entire way.

Is the pullout in the island also convenient to the sink? If not, could it be moved on the island so it is? That would be my first suggestion...make one do for all three primary zones (Prep, Cooking, Cleanup).

If it cannot be moved and you really want a bin next to the sink, consider changing it to a 12" pullout and take those 6" and add it to another cabinet on the run if there is one. I think 12" b/w the sink and DW will be enough...but it depends on how wide the corner sink base is (42"? 48"?).

If there is no other cabinet, then consider moving the trash pullout to the other side of the cleanup sink and putting drawers or a tray cabinet b/w the DW & sink. Unless you generate a tremendous amount of trash or recyclables, the second bin (next to the cleanup sink) probably only needs to be a 12" pullout w/one bin for trash. If you're like us, the vast majority of recyclable items come from prepping and cooking.

Thanks everyone for your advice...it makes a lot of sense putting it near the prep vs. sink area. It's funny how you get an idea in your head that it 'has' to be this way (putting it by sink) that you don't think outside the box. Thanks! :)

Thanks everyone for your advice...it makes a lot of sense putting it near the prep vs. sink area. It's funny how you get an idea in your head that it 'has' to be this way (putting it by sink) that you don't think outside the box. Thanks! :)

Thanks everyone for your advice...it makes a lot of sense putting it near the prep vs. sink area. It's funny how you get an idea in your head that it 'has' to be this way (putting it by sink) that you don't think outside the box. Thanks! :)

slightly OT - regarding the corner sink and the dw
I have that set up and have 12' drawers between the 2 and find it perfect.
the drawers have my cutlery in the top one which is also perfect for the DW

with respect to the pull out - I second or third or fourteenth to put it where you do your prep work

I do have an after fact pullout under the sink