--- title: Moving ideas in and out of Recycle bin description: Idea movement in recycle bin --- [Skip to content](https://help.ideascale.com/moving-idea-in-and-out-of-recycle-bin#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![IdeaScale](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ideascale-logo.png?width=223&height=31&name=ideascale-logo.png)](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) [Go to ideascale.com](https://ideascale.com/) Hi!👋 How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [IdeaScale Support Center](https://help.ideascale.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Campaign Management](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en) 3. [Campaigns](https://help.ideascale.com/campaign-management?hsLang=en#campaigns) # Moving ideas in and out of Recycle bin ## Idea movement in recycle bin ***Path: Workspace Homepage \>\> Campaign \>\> Idea Detail Page \>\> Change Stage***  | What is the Recycle Bin? | | --- | | The Recycle Bin is a stage an idea can be moved to when it is no longer being pursued in its current stage, without permanently removing it from the campaign. | Community members can move their own ideas into the Recycle Bin and back out again as needed. An idea can be moved to the Recycle Bin only from stages where it is still editable by the Idea Submitter, and its comments, votes, and stage activity are preserved throughout. --- ### Role Permissions 1. Idea Submitter: Can move an eligible idea into the Recycle Bin, and can later clone it back out, from any stage where the idea remains editable. 2. Moderator: Can move an idea into the Recycle Bin or delete it entirely using the Change Stage option. See Exceptions below for how this differs from Idea Submitter permissions. --- **TABLE OF CONTENTS** [Moving an Idea to the Recycle Bin](https://help.ideascale.com/moving-idea-in-and-out-of-recycle-bin#MovingIdeaRecycleBin) [Cloning a Recycle Bin Idea](https://help.ideascale.com/moving-idea-in-and-out-of-recycle-bin#CloningRecycleBinIdea) [Exceptions](https://help.ideascale.com/moving-idea-in-and-out-of-recycle-bin#Exceptions) [Frequently Asked Questions](https://help.ideascale.com/moving-idea-in-and-out-of-recycle-bin#FrequentlyAskedQuestions) --- ### Moving an Idea to the Recycle Bin An idea can be moved to the Recycle Bin in either of the following ways: ![idea submission delete copy](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/idea%20submission%20delete%20copy.jpg?width=670&height=792&name=idea%20submission%20delete%20copy.jpg) Select the pencil icon on the idea to open the idea submission form, then select the Recycle Bin icon at the bottom of the form. ![change stage copy](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/change%20stage%20copy.jpg?width=670&height=363&name=change%20stage%20copy.jpg) Select the Change Stage option on the idea and select Recycle Bin from the list of stages. ![recycle label copy](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/recycle%20label%20copy.jpg?width=670&height=392&name=recycle%20label%20copy.jpg) Once moved, the idea displays a Recycle Bin label. The number shown above the label reflects the idea's value from the stage it occupied before being moved. [**Help Article for Idea Submission**](https://help.ideascale.com/submission-form?hsLang=en) --- ### Cloning a Recycle Bin Idea Select Clone Idea on an idea in the Recycle Bin to open the idea submission form, then select Submit. The idea is cloned into the same campaign as a new idea. ![clone](https://help.ideascale.com/hs-fs/hubfs/clone.png?width=670&height=395&name=clone.png) ***Note: All comments, votes, and stage activity from the original idea are preserved even after it has been moved to the Recycle Bin.*** The Idea Submitter can find every idea they have moved to the Recycle Bin from My Profile \>\> My Ideas. --- ### Exceptions 1. Idea Not Editable by the Idea Submitter: A Moderator can still move the idea to the Recycle Bin, or delete it outright, using the Change Stage option, regardless of whether the idea is currently editable by the Idea Submitter. --- ### Frequently Asked Questions #### What happens to an idea's comments, votes, and stage activity when it is moved to the Recycle Bin? They are preserved. Nothing is lost when the idea is later cloned back into the campaign. #### Where can an Idea Submitter find the ideas they have moved to the Recycle Bin? From My Profile \>\> My Ideas. #### What does the number displayed above the Recycle Bin label mean? It shows the idea's value in the stage it was in immediately before being moved to the Recycle Bin. #### Can a Moderator delete an idea directly instead of moving it to the Recycle Bin? Yes. A Moderator can choose the Delete option or move the idea to the Recycle Bin using the Change Stage option, regardless of whether the idea is otherwise editable by the Idea Submitter, as described in Exceptions above. --- **Related Articles** - [Help Article for Idea Submission](https://help.ideascale.com/submission-form?hsLang=en) - [Help Article for Workflow](https://help.ideascale.com/workflows?hsLang=en) Last Updated: September 15, 2026 - [Product Updates](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [2026](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2026) - [2025](https://help.ideascale.com/product-updates?hsLang=en#2025) - [Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Homepage](https://help.ideascale.com/workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-homepage) - [Manage Workspace](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Workspace Configuration](https://help.ideascale.com/manage-workspace?hsLang=en#workspace-configuration) - 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