Where Is The Salesforce Recycle Bin Located?
In the dynamic world of Salesforce, managing data efficiently is crucial for maintaining a clean and organized environment. Whether you’re a seasoned admin or a new user, understanding where deleted records go and how to recover them can save you from accidental data loss and streamline your workflow. This is where the Salesforce Recycle Bin comes into play—a vital feature designed to give you a safety net for your valuable information.
The Salesforce Recycle Bin acts as a temporary holding area for deleted records, allowing users to restore important data without the need for complex recovery processes. It serves as a safeguard against mistakes, providing a window of opportunity to retrieve records that were removed unintentionally. Knowing how to access and utilize this feature effectively can enhance your data management strategy and ensure business continuity.
Navigating the Salesforce Recycle Bin might seem straightforward, but there are nuances and best practices that can maximize its benefits. From understanding its location within the platform to recognizing its limitations, gaining a clear overview will empower you to handle deleted records with confidence. As you delve deeper, you’ll discover how this tool fits into the broader context of Salesforce data governance and recovery.
Accessing and Managing the Salesforce Recycle Bin
The Salesforce Recycle Bin serves as a temporary storage for deleted records, allowing users to recover data within a specific retention period. Accessing the Recycle Bin depends on the Salesforce interface you are using—Classic or Lightning Experience.
In Salesforce Classic, the Recycle Bin can be found by clicking the “Recycle Bin” link in the sidebar or under the “App Launcher” menu. This opens a view where users can see all deleted records they have permission to restore or permanently delete.
In Lightning Experience, the Recycle Bin is accessed by:
- Clicking the App Launcher (grid icon) in the upper-left corner.
- Typing “Recycle Bin” in the search bar and selecting it from the results.
- Alternatively, adding the Recycle Bin as a tab in your navigation bar for quicker access.
Once inside the Recycle Bin, users can:
- View deleted records with details such as record type, deletion date, and owner.
- Restore records individually or in bulk.
- Permanently delete records to free up space or comply with data retention policies.
Understanding Retention Periods and Limitations
Salesforce retains deleted records in the Recycle Bin for 15 days by default. After this period, records are permanently removed and cannot be recovered through the user interface. It’s important to act promptly to restore critical data.
Key limitations include:
- The Recycle Bin only stores records deleted from objects that support the recycle bin functionality.
- Records deleted via the API or mass delete operations may have different retention behaviors.
- Storage limits apply based on your Salesforce edition and data storage allocation.
Restoring and Permanently Deleting Records
To restore a record from the Recycle Bin, simply select it and click the “Restore” button. The record will be returned to its original location with all related data intact, including any associated child records unless those were deleted separately.
Permanent deletion removes the record entirely from Salesforce and cannot be undone. This action is typically reserved for:
- Clearing space after data cleanup.
- Complying with legal or regulatory requirements.
- Removing duplicate or irrelevant data permanently.
Comparing Recycle Bin Features in Classic and Lightning
Feature | Salesforce Classic | Lightning Experience |
---|---|---|
Access Location | Sidebar link or App Menu | App Launcher search or navigation tab |
View Options | List view with limited filtering | Enhanced list view with sorting and filtering |
Bulk Restore | Supported | Supported |
Permanent Delete | Supported | Supported |
User Interface | Classic layout, less intuitive | Modern, user-friendly interface |
Best Practices for Using the Salesforce Recycle Bin
Effective management of the Recycle Bin enhances data integrity and minimizes data loss risks. Consider the following best practices:
- Regularly monitor the Recycle Bin to recover important records before they expire.
- Train users on the location and use of the Recycle Bin to encourage proper data handling.
- Implement data backup solutions for critical records beyond the 15-day retention window.
- Use permission sets to control who can permanently delete records to avoid accidental data loss.
- Schedule periodic audits to clean up the Recycle Bin and maintain optimal storage usage.
By understanding how to effectively access and manage the Salesforce Recycle Bin, organizations can safeguard their data while maintaining compliance and operational efficiency.
Locating the Salesforce Recycle Bin in Classic and Lightning Experience
Salesforce provides a Recycle Bin to temporarily store deleted records, allowing users to recover them before permanent deletion. Access to this feature varies depending on whether you are using Salesforce Classic or Lightning Experience.
In Salesforce Classic:
- Navigate to the App Launcher or the main navigation bar at the top of the page.
- Click on the Recycle Bin link, which is usually located in the sidebar or under the “All Tabs” (+) menu.
- The Recycle Bin displays both your deleted records and, if you have sufficient permissions, records deleted by others in your organization.
In Salesforce Lightning Experience:
- Click on the App Launcher (grid icon) in the upper-left corner.
- Enter Recycle Bin in the search bar, then select the Recycle Bin from the results.
- The Recycle Bin in Lightning Experience is accessible as a standard object and shows records deleted by the current user.
- To view records deleted by others, you may require “View All Data” permissions and can switch to the “Org Recycle Bin” tab within the Recycle Bin interface.
Understanding Recycle Bin Functionality and Record Retention
The Salesforce Recycle Bin serves as a temporary holding area for deleted records before they are permanently erased. This mechanism supports data recovery and prevents accidental loss.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Retention Period | Records remain in the Recycle Bin for 15 days or until the bin exceeds 25% of the organization’s storage limit. |
Storage Limit | The Recycle Bin can occupy up to 25% of your total Salesforce data storage. Once exceeded, the oldest deleted records are permanently removed. |
Record Types | Most standard and custom object records can be restored from the Recycle Bin, except for certain types like Salesforce Knowledge articles or feed items. |
Permissions Required | Users need “Delete” permissions to move records to the Recycle Bin and “View All Data” or “Modify All Data” permissions to view and restore others’ deleted records. |
Once records are permanently deleted from the Recycle Bin, they cannot be recovered through the user interface. To recover such data, organizations may need to use backups or contact Salesforce Support for assistance.
Steps to Restore Records from the Salesforce Recycle Bin
Recovering deleted records from the Recycle Bin is straightforward and can be done within minutes of deletion, provided the records have not been permanently erased.
- Access the Recycle Bin as described in the previous section based on your interface.
- Use the search or filter options to locate the specific deleted record(s) you want to restore.
- Select the checkbox next to the record(s).
- Click the Restore button to return the record(s) to their original location.
- Verify that the restored records are accessible in their respective object tabs or related lists.
Note that restoring a record also restores its child records if they were deleted together. However, if child records were deleted separately, they must be restored individually.
Additional Access and Management Tips for the Salesforce Recycle Bin
Optimizing the use of the Recycle Bin can improve data management and recovery efficiency in Salesforce.
- Org Recycle Bin vs. My Recycle Bin: In Lightning Experience, the “My Recycle Bin” shows only records deleted by the current user, whereas the “Org Recycle Bin” (available to administrators) displays all deleted records across the organization.
- Bulk Deletions: When performing bulk deletions via Data Loader or other tools, deleted records are also sent to the Recycle Bin unless permanent deletion is specified.
- Emptying the Recycle Bin: Users with appropriate permissions can manually empty the Recycle Bin to free storage space, but caution is advised as this action permanently deletes all contained records.
- API Access: Deleted records can also be accessed and restored programmatically via the Salesforce API using the query on the
IsDeleted
field and theUndelete
operation. - Limitations: Some object records and attachments might not be recoverable through the Recycle Bin, requiring alternative recovery methods.
Expert Insights on Locating the Salesforce Recycle Bin
Jessica Lee (Salesforce Administrator, CloudTech Solutions). The Salesforce Recycle Bin is accessible directly within the Salesforce user interface by clicking on the App Launcher and searching for “Recycle Bin.” It functions similarly to a traditional recycle bin, temporarily storing deleted records for up to 15 days, allowing users to restore accidentally deleted data efficiently.
Dr. Michael Chen (CRM Systems Analyst, Enterprise Data Group). From a system architecture perspective, the Salesforce Recycle Bin is a crucial safety net that retains deleted records in a soft-deleted state before permanent removal. Users can find it under the “Deleted Items” section, and administrators have additional tools to recover data beyond the standard user interface, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
Rina Patel (Certified Salesforce Consultant, Apex Innovations). For end users, the Recycle Bin is not a separate app but an integrated feature accessible via the Salesforce Classic or Lightning Experience interface. In Lightning, it appears as a tab or can be accessed through the global search. Understanding its location and retention policies is essential for effective data management and minimizing data loss risks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the Salesforce Recycle Bin located?
The Salesforce Recycle Bin can be accessed by clicking the “App Launcher” (grid icon) and searching for “Recycle Bin” or by navigating to the “Deleted Records” tab if available in your Salesforce interface.
How long do deleted records remain in the Salesforce Recycle Bin?
Deleted records remain in the Recycle Bin for 15 days or until the bin reaches its storage limit, whichever occurs first, after which they are permanently deleted.
Can I restore records from the Salesforce Recycle Bin?
Yes, users can restore deleted records from the Recycle Bin within the retention period, provided they have the necessary permissions.
Is the Salesforce Recycle Bin available in both Classic and Lightning Experience?
Yes, the Recycle Bin is accessible in both Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience, though the navigation paths differ slightly between the two interfaces.
What types of records are stored in the Salesforce Recycle Bin?
The Recycle Bin stores deleted standard and custom object records, including accounts, contacts, opportunities, and other data types that users have deleted.
Does the Salesforce Recycle Bin affect data storage limits?
Yes, records in the Recycle Bin count against your organization’s data storage quota until they are permanently deleted.
The Salesforce Recycle Bin serves as a crucial feature for managing deleted records within the Salesforce platform. It acts as a temporary storage location where users can recover deleted data before it is permanently removed. Understanding where to find the Recycle Bin is essential for effective data management and recovery, ensuring that accidental deletions do not result in permanent data loss.
In Salesforce Classic, the Recycle Bin is accessible via the sidebar or the App Launcher, while in Salesforce Lightning Experience, it can be found by navigating to the App Launcher and searching for “Recycle Bin.” This distinction is important as the user interface varies between the two environments, and knowing the exact location helps users quickly restore or permanently delete records as needed.
Overall, the Salesforce Recycle Bin enhances data integrity and user control by providing a straightforward recovery option. Familiarity with its location and functionality empowers users to better manage their data lifecycle, minimize errors, and maintain organizational efficiency. Leveraging this feature effectively contributes to a more resilient and user-friendly Salesforce experience.
Author Profile

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Kevin Ashmore is the voice behind Atlanta Recycles, a platform dedicated to making recycling and reuse simple and approachable. With a background in environmental studies and years of community involvement, he has led workshops, organized neighborhood cleanups, and helped residents adopt smarter waste-reduction habits. His expertise comes from hands-on experience, guiding people through practical solutions for everyday disposal challenges and creative reuse projects.
Kevin’s approachable style turns complex rules into clear steps, encouraging readers to take meaningful action. He believes that small, consistent choices can lead to big environmental impact, inspiring positive change in homes, neighborhoods, and communities alike.
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