Comment 13 for bug 25977

I think we have to separate the operations one might do with the trash system. The function of the applet is primarily so that stuff can be dropped on it to be deleted, so we have the "deleting stuff" use case. One might also want to undelete something, which involves opening it up as a folder and moving one or more files to another location where a file could be put, the "undeleting" use case. Finally one might want to permanently delete the contents, or "empty the trash".
The applet is in a corner of the screen (see Fitts law) and is well placed for dragging stuff with a mouse onto it to delete it. If you are using a keyboard the delete key does the same thing, so it is in fact easier to perform the deleting stuff use case from the keyboard. If you want to do some undeleting or arguably if you want to empty the trash then you are thinking about it in a "its a folder" mindset and it is logical to find it via nautilus.