These workers keep Old Orchard Beach’s coastline clean

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 10, 2026

Fred Hoyt said the most common pieces of trash — by far — are cigarette butts. He counts how many he collects each day. “Yesterday was 379,” Hoyt said. Hoyt, 66, is one of three seasonal employees who work for Old Orchard Beach, picking up trash on the town’s seven miles of shoreline every morning from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They start at 5 a.m. and finish before many people staying in the oceanfront motels wake for the day.