Please describe the problem:
This was originally reported at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-applets/+bug/293294 by George_SPatton:

"When the trash is emptied via the Gnome Trash Applet, the icon does not change from a filled trash can to an empty one. The only way to fix it is to delete the applet and add it back onto a Gnome panel. Replication is easy: send something to the trash, then right click the trash applet to Empty Trash. The icon sometimes refreshes to an empty trash can, sometimes it does not."

Steps to reproduce:
1. Send items to trash
2. Right click on trash applet and empty deleted items (or open Nautilus window from trash applet to empty deleted items)


Actual results:
Sometimes the applet does not refresh and still indicates that there are deleted items to be emptied from the trash can

Expected results:
The trash applet should refresh and indicate that there are no deleted items to empty from the trash can

Does this happen every time?
For me, yes

Other information: