I found a fix for my issue without waiting for the random house cleaning event.
Pregnant office worker picked it up. I put her there and it said she didn't feel up to it (work), so I put her there again and she picked up the trash. Woo hoo! Clean house again ^.^

I have the exact same problem with the wrapper on the phone. It is on a game that started with .05. I will try the suggestions listed here. My ocd is getting the better of me!!!

Just wanted to report that another sock has landed in the same place.

I had this happen to a game that didn't have another version installed over it. I only just started playing, and it's the 05 version. And the sock is still there. Haven't a maid event, though, so maybe that will help.

I think their little white circle has to touch the object rather than them themselves