diff --git a/src/calibre/library/database2.py b/src/calibre/library/database2.py
index c4d11beb58..6d18a2d663 100644
--- a/src/calibre/library/database2.py
+++ b/src/calibre/library/database2.py
@@ -36,33 +36,8 @@ from calibre.utils.config import prefs, tweaks
 from calibre.utils.search_query_parser import saved_searches, set_saved_searches
 from calibre.ebooks import BOOK_EXTENSIONS, check_ebook_format
 from calibre.utils.magick.draw import save_cover_data_to
+from calibre.utils.recycle_bin import delete_file, delete_tree
 
-if iswindows:
-    import calibre.utils.winshell as winshell
-
-def delete_file(path):
-    try:
-        winshell.delete_file(path, silent=True, no_confirm=True)
-    except:
-        os.remove(path)
-
-def delete_tree(path, permanent=False):
-    if permanent:
-        try:
-            # For completely mysterious reasons, sometimes a file is left open
-            # leading to access errors. If we get an exception, wait and hope
-            # that whatever has the file (the O/S?) lets go of it.
-            shutil.rmtree(path)
-        except:
-            traceback.print_exc()
-            time.sleep(1)
-            shutil.rmtree(path)
-    else:
-        try:
-            if not permanent:
-                winshell.delete_file(path, silent=True, no_confirm=True)
-        except:
-            delete_tree(path, permanent=True)
 
 copyfile = os.link if hasattr(os, 'link') else shutil.copyfile
 
@@ -983,10 +958,7 @@ class LibraryDatabase2(LibraryDatabase, SchemaUpgrade, CustomColumns):
             path = None
         self.data.remove(id)
         if path and os.path.exists(path):
-            try:
-                winshell.delete_file(path, no_confirm=True, silent=True)
-            except:
-                self.rmtree(path)
+            self.rmtree(path)
             parent = os.path.dirname(path)
             if len(os.listdir(parent)) == 0:
                 self.rmtree(parent)
diff --git a/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py b/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..df6016d796
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/calibre/utils/recycle_bin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# vim:fileencoding=UTF-8:ts=4:sw=4:sta:et:sts=4:ai
+
+__license__   = 'GPL v3'
+__copyright__ = '2010, Kovid Goyal <kovid@kovidgoyal.net>'
+__docformat__ = 'restructuredtext en'
+
+import os, shutil, time
+from functools import partial
+
+from calibre import isbytestring
+from calibre.constants import iswindows, isosx, plugins, filesystem_encoding
+
+recycle = None
+
+if iswindows:
+    import calibre.utils.winshell as winshell
+    recycle = partial(winshell.delete_file, silent=True, no_confirm=True)
+elif isosx:
+    u = plugins['usbobserver'][0]
+    if hasattr(u, 'send2trash'):
+        def recycle(path):
+            if isbytestring(path):
+                path = path.decode(filesystem_encoding)
+            u.send2trash(path)
+
+
+def delete_file(path):
+    if callable(recycle):
+        try:
+            recycle(path)
+            return
+        except:
+            import traceback
+            traceback.print_exc()
+    os.remove(path)
+
+def delete_tree(path, permanent=False):
+    if permanent:
+        try:
+            # For completely mysterious reasons, sometimes a file is left open
+            # leading to access errors. If we get an exception, wait and hope
+            # that whatever has the file (the O/S?) lets go of it.
+            shutil.rmtree(path)
+        except:
+            import traceback
+            traceback.print_exc()
+            time.sleep(1)
+            shutil.rmtree(path)
+    else:
+        if callable(recycle):
+            try:
+                recycle(path)
+                return
+            except:
+                import traceback
+                traceback.print_exc()
+        delete_tree(path, permanent=True)
+