Shell recycling collects discarded shells from restaurants and returns them to local waterways for oyster enhancement efforts. Oysters need a hard substrate to attach to in order to grow and build reefs. Planting shell onto natural oyster reefs provides the necessary habitat for oyster larvae to attach to.

By participating in shell recycling programs, restaurants can help coastal environments and save money on waste disposal costs, while also keeping shell out of landfills.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife’s Marine Resources Administration has partnered with Sysco to coordinate an extension of our existing Shell Recycling Program. Sysco will collect shell from participating restaurants in New Jersey and surrounding states from their existing customers. Pickup of shell is completely free, and buckets are provided making the program easy to join!

Please complete this survey and join us in making every shell count!