Norwalk, Conn. -- Halstead and Metroflor Corporations sponsored a beach cleanup on International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, Sept 21, at Jennings Beach in Fairfield, Conn. Annalisa Paltauf from Save the Sound, the event organizer, presented Halstead International with a certificate from The Ocean Conservancy recognizing the company’s “dedication and service to The International Coastal Cleanup and commitment to achieving trash free seas.” This was the third year in a row Halstead/Metroflor sponsored a cleanup event along the shores of Long Island Sound, one of 40 being held in the Connecticut on ICC day.

To spread awareness, the 42-strong group of volunteers (6 from Halstead/Metroflor’s Norwalk office and 36 community volunteers) shared the parking lot and cleanup site with the Only You Foundation supporting families with special needs, which held a 5K run that day. Many race participants stopped by the Save the Sound table to find out more about the organization and sign up for future cleanup events.

The band of Coastal Cleanup volunteers removed 109 pounds of trash in 2.5 hours.

“I am always amazed by the amount and type of trash we find during these cleanup events," said Rick Taylor, director of training and coordinator of volunteer events for Halstead/Metroflor. "It saddens me to think that people are so selfish as to not place their trash in the proper garbage bins. But when I think about the hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the globe all working together to accomplish the same goal, it fills me with hope."

For more information, visit halsteadintl.com or metroflorusa.com.