Submitter wants files to be sent to the trash and thus still be available for easy restoration, but not right there under the user's nose tempting them to empty the trash.
An icon which doesn't change? That's not what he's describing.
Exactly. I also didn't say anything about an unchanging icon.
He's saying get rid of the icon on the desktop, but keep the function of keeping "deleted" files. That way an overly tidy user doesn't just empty the trash all the time and the help desk can help them get back "deleted" files when they need to.
He is saying that when users see a full trash can they want to empty it. There is no point to having a trash can if it is emptied as soon as something is put in it. His solution was to remove the icon from the desktop. This way users can still delete files and either be unaware of the trash can's existence, or at least be able to more easily ignore it, since it is not on the desktop "right under their nose" as I said.
Other than the last few words I completely agree with your original post. He doesn't want an incinerator that would destroy files immediately. He wants it to work exactly as it does, but without the icon on the desktop reminding anal users that there is trash waiting to be taken out.