It would be nice to have something to do with our garbage unique.
We could have an rune of extraction for them that would transform one of their unique power in a unique shard. The better roll unique would yield better chance of receiving a unique shard. (Maybe 100% for Max roll and 0% for Min roll).
Exemple : [Hazelroot]
(11% to 18%) Chance to Cast Thorn Shield on yourself when you directly use a Physical Skill
Thorn Shield is an active skill while in Spriggan Form and is affected by its tree
+1 Spell Physical Damage per 3 Attunement
Each point of attunement counts, so if you have 2 Attunement you gain 0.67 Spell Physical Damage.
(44% to 72%) increased Physical Damage
+(22 to 36) Health
+(22 to 36) Mana
Only the first two are unique and could be yield as a unique shard. But it would take the roll of all explicit to determine the chance to get a shard. Then, if it succeed get one the of 2 unique shard.
Unique shard could be use on rare and exalted item instead of another affixes. It like a reverse LP. It would be useful to extract a specific unique affixes and put it on a stronger base. Or to mix multiple unique affixes to create your own brand new unique item.