I'm actually really surprised I couldn't find a duplicate for this. :P

Okay, so we've all been there before where we create a project, and either do nothing in it, or start something and never get back to it. It ends up being deleted, and it just sits in your Trash forever. You see, my Trash is full of these projects, especially ones there are barely, if even, modified. Now I know sever space isn't exactly an issue right now, but I always feel bad having these empty projects sitting in my Trash. So, I am suggesting a way to be able to recycle your projects to either be used by others, or by yourself.
Now you're probably wondering, “Why don't we just go into our Trash folder, restore the project, and reuse it?” Because virtually no one would do it- why would/should they? And, an even bigger question, why would this be useful? For one, recycling in real life is extremely important. I think adding something like this here would be a good way to show users how cool it can be to recycle. Two, I honestly think it would just be a cool feature. Imagine recycling your project, just for a major Scratcher to end up using it as their next project!

So here's how it would work. When deleting a project, it, as usual, will go into your Trash. But, in your Trash there will be a button next to each project that says “Recycle”. A pop-up will show explaining what it is, and what will happen. Alternatively, there would also be an option in Account Settings that would allow your projects to automatically be recycled after being in the Trash for a certain period of time. Certain periods could be 1 Day, 3 Days, 1 Week, 3 Weeks, 1 Month, 3 Months, 6 Months, and 1 Year, or alternatively a custom option.
So how would the recycling process work? Well, when a new project is created, many know that the next available project is used. For example, if a project with the ID #32456 is the most recently “claimed” project, the next person to create a project would get the ID of #32457. With recycling, the lowest unused project ID would be used. So, if a project with the ID of #23487 is recycled, the next user to create a project would get this project ID.
When a project is recycled it will be “reset”, or in other words, would be restored to the original, Scratch Cat on a white background with a few random sounds in it.

I also would like to suggest there being a tab in My Stuff showing all of the projects you recycled. If a project was reused, it would have overlay over the thumbnail with a recycling sign and a green checkmark over it. If shared, maybe it would be possible to see the new, reused project, but that's something I'd love to hear your thoughts on. ^^

Whether recycled projects should only be reused by the user, or by anyone would also be a good thing to discuss here.
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While I know this isn't anything too big, I think this would be a pretty neat feature. I'd appreciate your feedback. :)

It's possible to empty the Trash, which AFAIK permanently invalidates those IDs. Also, you can manually recycle a project (for your own account at least) by uploading a downloaded copy of the default project into that project. I guess it'd be kinda interesting to see what other people did with your old IDs, but if implemented badly it might lead to people spamclaiming IDs so they can say that was made with their ID.

CatIsFluffy wrote:

It's possible to empty the Trash, which AFAIK permanently invalidates those IDs.

Permanently deleted projects actually still exist. :P

CatIsFluffy wrote:

It might lead to people spamclaiming IDs so they can say that was made with their ID.

I could see that happening, but I hope it wouldn't be an issue-

No support. Once i ‘cleaned up’ my stuff and my trash, and i accidently deleted my most popular project. Now, i want to be able to still restore it. I discovered how to recover them.

This seems like a pretty good way to make inappropriate projects, share it everywhere, then recycle it before you suffer any consequences, with the evidence deleted.

Za-Chary wrote:

This seems like a pretty good way to make inappropriate projects, share it everywhere, then recycle it before you suffer any consequences, with the evidence deleted.

I agree with this too. The ST would then get a 404 error when trying to see the reported project

Why is this necessary? We aren't going to run out of project IDs anytime soon, considering there's an infinite amount.
The two reasons you posted of “teach kids to recycle” and “it would be interesting” either are such a stretch to make a point or very subjective.

Za-Chary wrote:

This seems like a pretty good way to make inappropriate projects, share it everywhere, then recycle it before you suffer any consequences, with the evidence deleted.

Oh, yeah, you're right! In that sense, this wouldn't work, nor can I think of a workaround for this-
Reported to be closed.

fdreerf wrote:

The two reasons you posted of “teach kids to recycle” and “it would be interesting” either are such a stretch to make a point or very subjective.

Not every feature in Scratch would be able to have an entire page debating with solid reasoning on why it should exist, ya know- Same with Suggested ones.