For over a decade, Fairfield University has hosted weekly beach clean-ups as a chance for students to contribute to the well-being of their weekend hotspot. This year, the added incentive of free t-shirts and breakfast and coffee from Old Post Market has boosted participation and clean-up recognition significantly, collecting a total of 345 students for the five clean-ups this year.
This information is provided by the university’s Vice President of Marketing and Communication Jennifer Anderson. The clean-ups begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings and last for about one hour, covering land on the public beaches and surrounding side roads, where both off-campus students and Fairfield residents live.
Many participating students choose to return for multiple weeks, many attending as a part of a club or sports team. Senior Colby Zelano has contributed to five clean ups this year and numerous times in previous years, participating on his own and once with an organized group of twenty-five students from the Investment Club.
“I see the importance in picking up this garbage, especially in a beach community. This litter has a profound impact on the land and water in the surrounding community,” Zelano said. “I believe that it also inspires others to join in and help. The whole process is very rewarding.”
Despite encouragement and desire to participate, Zelano has faced residential complaints about, for example, the time of day of the clean-ups; he has been told by residents, he explained, that they would prefer the clean-ups to be earlier in the day or the night before. The student expressed that these comments make him upset, especially after noticing that a considerable amount of trash comes from the residents themselves–thanks to the harsher restrictions limiting student activity on the beach. Still, they do not deter him from continuing to participate.
Zelano enjoys the opportunity to get walking on the weekend while also giving back to his community. Moreover, he credited the university with taking initiative on the issue of pollution and environmental health. Junior Caroline Amadon is a member of Fairfield’s Women’s Rugby team and pitched in one weekend with her teammates. She agrees with Zelano’s point of getting out and active in the community while also being able to spend time with friends.
Seeing the effects of their work was an aspect she particularly enjoyed and left her with a desire to participate again in the future.
“I really had no idea how dirty the beaches really were and honestly I thought it was just good to get out there and clean it up,” she said. “I’ve noticed that the beaches have been looking a lot better since [Fairfield] started doing these.”
Along with free breakfast from Old Post Market, each student that participates is entered for a chance to win an array of gift cards for popular downtown spots. The event is “BYOB”–Bring Your Own Bag–and both Old Post Market and The Seagrape volunteer their dumpsters for trash cleanup. Anderson stated that this access “[allows] students to collect a substantial amount of trash throughout the beach area and adjacent residential roads.”
“This initiative aims to keep our environment clean and prevent litter from entering the ocean or accumulating on our roads,” Anderson said. “Additionally, it fosters a strong sense of community, as local residents often stop to express their gratitude for the students’ hard work.”
A positive element of this Sunday initiative, described by both Zelano and Amadon, is the acknowledgement and praise that is offered to participants by Fairfield residents. While he has received criticism, Zelano commented on his receiving of a thumbs up or a “good job” as they passed by individuals in their morning activities.
Amadon added that these residential compliments, typically a rare occurrence for Fairfield University students, make her feel like they are helping the community “get better.”
Overall, Anderson, Zelano and Amadon each agree that the weekly Fairfield Beach Clean Ups assist in strengthening the community and bettering the environment. Additionally, Zelano sees the alternative view of on-the-beach seniors from Fairfield residents as an added plus.
“This is one ‘boots on the ground’ event which is definitely noticed by residents and offers them an obverse perspective on our beach residence,” he said.
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