"Trash" can't be opened right now because it's being used by another task" message-how to fix

Hi annharvey,

Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.

If you can't open the Trash, restart your computer and try again.

If you can't empty the Trash, try this method:

You can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1526

If you can't empty the Trash or move a file to the Trash

For example, this message might appear when you try to empty the Trash: "The operation could not be completed because the item '(item name)' is locked."

First, try holding the Option key as you choose Empty Trash from the Finder menu.

Cheers,

Jeremy