Application-tailored object re-use and recycling

A computing device receives a request for content for a content layout in a displayable region of a screen associated with the device. The device determines, based on application-tailored recycling policies, whether a recycler includes a display object that is suitable for recycling or re-use. If it does not, the device creates the display object and fills it with the content. If it does, and if the display object contains the content, the device updates elements of the display object as needed; otherwise, if the display object does not contain the content, the device fills the display object with the content and returns it. The recycling or re-using may also be performed with sub-elements of a display object, some of which may comprise nested display objects.