318 Pounds Removed at Fort Hale Fishing Pier Beach Cleanup in New Haven

Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA) hosted a beach cleanup in New Haven, Connecticut, on Friday, April 24th, where 51 volunteers removed 318 pounds of litter from the Fort Hale Fishing Pier.

Event Details from the New Haven Cleanup

The cleanup focused on the Fort Hale Fishing Pier area, where debris tends to collect along the shoreline and around the rocks. Volunteers spread out across the pier and nearby beach areas, working through a mix of larger dumped items and smaller scattered trash.

Conditions made it clear this site sees regular foot traffic and ongoing littering. The group worked steadily, filling bags with everything from bulky waste to small plastic fragments.

Partner Recognition

This cleanup was supported by Connecticut Green Bank and Connecticut Innovations. Connecticut Green Bank also provided pizza for volunteers after the cleanup, which gave everyone a chance to regroup and connect once the work was done.

What Was Found at the New Haven Beach Cleanup

Volunteers removed a wide range of debris, including plastic bottles, broken plastic pieces, and a high volume of cigarette butts. One of the more notable items recovered was an old mattress left along the shoreline.

The mix of large dumped waste and small litter shows how different types of pollution build up in the same space.

Why It Matters

Items like cigarette butts and plastic fragments break down over time and become harder to remove, especially in rocky shoreline areas. Larger debris, such as mattresses, can damage habitats and create long-term problems if left in place.

Removing this material early helps prevent it from spreading further into the water.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in joining a volunteer beach cleanup in Connecticut or Rhode Island, visit our events page to sign up for an upcoming cleanup.

You can also support future cleanups by donating.

About ORCA

Ocean Recovery Community Alliance (ORCA) is a nonprofit organization focused on beach cleanups and ocean conservation across Rhode Island and Connecticut.