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Oyster Shell Recycling Pilot Program
Why Recycle Oyster Shells?
There is no reason for discarded oyster shells to be sent to a landfill when they can be recycled to create marine habitats that promote biodiversity, improve water quality and help protect shorelines from erosion. By partnering with local restaurants to recycle and repurpose oyster shells, the goal is to rehabilitate local oyster populations in and around Tampa Bay. Since the 1950s, more than 85 percent of the oyster communities in Tampa Bay have been lost due to dredging, harvesting and decline.
Oyster Reef Benefits
Shoreline ProtectionImproved Water QualityWildlife HabitatHuman Food Source
Step 1: Participating restaurants collect used shells that are picked up by Pinellas County volunteers.Step 2: The shells are cured in the sun for at least four months to ensure all harmful bacteria is removed.Step 3: Once cured, volunteers load them into 30-pound bags made of biodegradable materials.Step 4: The bags of oyster shells provide a solid surface for new oysters to grow and thrive, where they help clean the water, protect the shoreline and provide new wildlife habitat.
Step 1: Participating restaurants collect used shells that are picked up by Pinellas County volunteers.
Step 4: The bags of oyster shells provide a solid surface for new oysters to grow and thrive, where they help clean the water, protect the shoreline and provide new wildlife habitat.
