Westport Cleanup Effort Draws Hundreds, Leaves Town Shining

If you noticed Westport looking a little cleaner this past weekend, you’re not imagining things.

More than 220 volunteers came together on Saturday for Team C.O.W.’s annual “Clean Our Westport” event, rolling up their sleeves to make a visible difference across town. From roadsides to public spaces, the impact of just a few hours of work was hard to miss.

What began as a small gathering of volunteers has grown into something much bigger over the years, and this latest turnout proved just how powerful it has become. It wasn’t just about picking up trash, it was about showing up for Westport.

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From Humble Beginnings to a Town-Wide Effort

Organizer Martin Costa reflected on how far the cleanup has come since its early days. “I started this litter cleanup 12 years ago with 25 volunteers and one pickup truck,” he said. “This year we had 220 volunteers, two huge dumpsters, and many civic and business groups sending teams of volunteers.”

Costa said the continued turnout is what keeps the momentum going, and he’s already looking ahead to making next year’s event even bigger.

Community Support Fueled the Day

Volunteers of all ages kicked off the morning with coffee and donuts courtesy of Residential Properties before spreading out across town to tackle cleanup areas.

Behind the scenes, dedicated pickup teams from Holmes Plumbing and Heating, Quintessential Gardens, Long Moving and Storage, and others spent hours collecting filled bags and transporting them to dumpsters provided by WinWaste Innovations and the Town of Westport.

Support from local sponsors and organizations, including Perfect Smiles Dentistry, BayCoast, Ace Hardware, Westport Federal Credit Union, Liberty Utilities, and several community groups, helped make the entire operation run smoothly.

More Than Just a Cleanup

While the filled dumpsters were a clear sign of success, the bigger takeaway was the sense of unity throughout the day.

Neighbors worked side by side, students and local leaders pitched in, and the entire town played a role in something meaningful.

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As Team C.O.W. put it, “A few hours of work made a lot of difference,” and in Westport’s case, it also strengthened the bond of a community that clearly cares.