Norwalk, Conn. -- Halstead and Metroflor Corporations sponsored a beach cleanup Saturday, May 18, with Save the Sound and the Connecticut Fund for the Environment at Boccuzzi Park in Stamford, Conn. This is the third consecutive year the companies have sponsored an event along the shores of the state.

The event was held 9-11 am at the 12-acre public park complete with a beach, marina, playground, softball field, and basketball and tennis courts on Long Island Sound. Open to the public, the event drew 15 volunteers who collected trash in the park and beachfront. From cigarette butts, bottle caps, plastic wrappers/straws/bottles and glass bottles (broken and unbroken) to aluminum cans and even a truck tire, 115 lbs. of refuse were removed.

“Special thanks go out to Annalisa Paltauf and Joe DiMaggio from Save the Sound for their unwavering commitment and support to the environment and being part of the events," said Rick Taylor of Halstead/Metroflor, who coordinated the event. "To all of the volunteers for helping to clean the park and raise awareness to the plight of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, waterways and lands, we thank you so much.”

It is estimated that 300 million lbs. of plastic are produced globally each year, and less than 10% of that is recycled. Plastic pollution kills an estimated 100,000 mammals annually.

“By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish by weight in the world’s oceans unless humans intervene. The time to act is now,” Taylor added.

Halstead/Metroflor’s next sponsored cleanup event will be held on Sept. 21, at Jennings Beach in Fairfield, Conn. for International Coastal Cleanup day.

For more information, visit metroflorusa.com.