Mark-k

Once a day wordpress deletes all trashed items which had been in the trash for more then N days, where N stands for the value of EMPTY_TRASH_DAYS constant which may be defined in wp-config.php file.
This plugin presents a different way to control the number of trashed days. Instead of manually editing wp-config.php which is usually not convenient and somewhat dangerous, you can set the number of days in a settings page. 
In addition there is a tool to empty the cache from Items older the a specified number of days.
Usage: 
Get to the settings page via the menu “Options” >> “Empty trash” 
Get to the delete trash tool page via the menu “Tools” >> “Empty trash”
Network considerations: 
The plugin was not tested in a network installation, but it should work gibing the individual site admin a control over his trash which is possibly different then other sites on the network. 
The plugin do not have network wide settings
Important: 
For better or worse the plugin employs exactly the same deleting algorithm used by the wordpress version running the site.
Limitations: 
The plugin will not be able to function well if you have EMPTY_TRASH_DAYS set in your wp-confing.php

Trash emptier

Provides a configurable control over the trash emptying algorithm wordpress uses without changing wp-config.php

lerougeliet

Easily configure posts to expire at a certain date and time. After posts expire, they can become drafts, private, deleted, or in the trash. Works without Cron enabled.

Auto Expire Posts

Automatically expire posts at a given date

Trash emptier vs Auto Expire Posts