10 Ways to Recycle Oyster Shells & Help Oyster Reef Restoration
The pandemic impacted so many aspects of everyday life. From your newfound love of hand sanitizer to repeatedly teaching your parents how to use Zoom to a permanent rotation between activewear and pajamas, a lot changed in 2020.
While the toilet paper shortage may have gotten the most press, shifting human behaviors also impacted another shortage: the oyster shell shortage. Oyster shell recycling programs depend almost entirely on collecting discarded oyster shells from restaurants to continue their oyster reef restoration projects, but with restaurant closures, many oyster farms began selling to the consumers directly.
Unfortunately, the majority of oyster lovers may still not be aware that recycling oyster shells is an option, let alone a necessity to restore clean water and protect our vulnerable coastlines. Far too many of those valuable oyster shells went into the garbage last year. The Oyster Recovery Partnership estimates their oyster shell collection was sliced in half from the previous year, and the Shell Recycling Alliance collected a mere 14,000 bushels compared to their usual 36,000 bushels.
We’ve discussed the importance of oyster shell recycling in depth before, and today we’re zeroing in on 10 powerful ways you can help us turn the tide on our critical oyster shell shortage and restore our essential oyster reefs.
Support Restaurants Who Recycle Oyster Shells
Heading out to happy hour? Give your favorite oyster bar a quick call to make sure they recycle their discarded oyster shells before you hit the town, and be sure to thank them for their efforts.
If your watering hole of choice is a bit behind the times, encourage them to recycle their oyster shells and provide the manager with a list of local resources. Many coastal cities have grassroots and municipal oyster shell recycling programs (such as SCORE) available at little or no cost to the restaurant.
Eat Farmed Oysters
We’re absolutely wild for oysters at Grit & Grace Studio, but only if they’re farm-raised. Did you know that more than 85% of the world’s oyster reefs have been destroyed? Disease, overfishing, and development are the main causation, but fortunately, 95% of the oysters we consume today are farm-raised through sustainable practices. Additionally, did you know that oyster farming is one of the only forms of aquaculture that actually improves the ocean through its process, leaving behind no harmful byproducts? We call that a win-win!
Spread Awareness About Oyster Shell Recycling
Many seafood lovers don’t realize there is an oyster shell shortage or that oyster shell recycling programs even exist. They also may not know that oyster spat (juvenile oysters) require a hard surface to attach to in order to complete their development, which is why returning quarantined shells back to our local waters is so essential to replenishing our oyster populations. Spreading awareness empowers consumers to make sustainable choices, so read all about oyster shell recycling and help us spread the word!
Don’t Chuck Your Shuck!
Oyster roasts are one of our favorite parts of Lowcountry living, but be sure to set aside a separate bin from your trash receptacle that’s specifically designated for discarded oyster shells! Once the last oyster has been shucked, you can drop your shells at your local oyster shell recycling center, a municipal drop-off center, or pre-arrange to have an oyster shell recycling organization pick them up that day.
Keep Your Trash Separate from Your Shells
This may seem like a simple or insignificant contribution to oyster recycling programs, but keeping your saltine wrappers, dirty napkins, and condiment containers separate from your discarded oyster shells can make a huge difference in the amount of time and energy devoted to oyster reef restoration.
When trash, especially plastic trash, is introduced into the oyster recycling process, people must then double back and sort through the quarantining shells to remove all the waste. This can be both time-consuming and require a lot of manpower to execute successfully.
Volunteer to Sort Oyster Shells
Recycling oyster shells can require an ocean of love, as we know so well thanks to our in-house shell recycling program! Once the shells are collected, they need to be quarantined before they can be safely returned to our local waters and ecosystems. It’s during this quarantine period that volunteers or employees will sort through the shell to remove any trash that accidentally slipped into the bin with the shells at the restaurant or oyster roast.
Removing the plastic packaging, dirty napkins, stray plastic cups, and accidentally tossed oyster knives requires a lot of manpower, and this is a great way to volunteer with your fellow ocean-lovers. Don’t forget to wear sturdy, close-toed shoes or work boots that you’re comfortable getting dirty!
Help Bag Oyster Shells
Ready to save the planet and get a solid workout? Volunteer to help bag recycled oyster shells! While the containment method may vary by oyster reef restoration project, it takes a lot of energy to shovel those shells into the bags or crates that will be returned to fragile ecosystems.
These artificial reefs will provide a hard substrate for free-swimming juvenile oysters to attach to as their new home, helping to replenish wild oyster populations. Your local department of natural resources likely has organized volunteer days, such as those organized by SCDNR.
Help Build New Oyster Reefs
We bet you had no idea how many steps are involved in oyster shell recycling and oyster reef restoration! Once the bags or crates are loaded up, they have to be hauled out to the marsh or chosen waterway in the final phase of reef-building. This is another very physically demanding way to volunteer. Grab your CrossFit crew or barre babes and hit the coast for a day of giving back (without throwing out your back).
Support Companies That are Committed to Oyster Reef Restoration
If you’d rather skip the manual labor in your quest to help save our seas, we hear you. Crack open a bottle of Proud Pour’s Sauvignon Blanc, check out Grit & Grace’s newest products, and shop the companies we highlighted in this blog post on brands committed to oyster reef restoration before you finish your shopping spree.
We recycle 10 oyster shells for each oyster shell gift purchased! These small businesses support oyster shell recycling in so many ways, from shell collection to volunteer hours to donations, and they’re an integral part of turning the tide in protecting our fragile coastlines.
Join the Fight to Save Our Seas!
Calling all mermaids! We’re stronger together, and there are so many ways to reduce your individual impact, volunteer, and support green businesses. Healthier, cleaner seas benefit all oceanic species, including our beloved oysters!
Grab your gals and hit the beach for a litter cleanup, snag tickets for fundraising events that benefit local non-profits, take your family to the aquarium, and shop sustainable products, for starters! You can also join Grit & Grace Studio in becoming a Sea Turtle Guardian with the South Carolina Aquarium or spot us at one of SCDNR’s litter pickups.
All of our Oyster Ring Dishes, Decoupage Oysters, Oyster Shell Salt & Pepper Cellars, and Oyster Shell Garlands support our in-house oyster shell recycling program. We are proud to share that as of today, we’ve collected more than 6,000 gallons of shells and integrated them into local oyster reef restoration projects to help conserve Charleston’s coast.
As a green company, we also carry beautiful sustainable and fair trade products. Shop our organic and responsibly grown Sage Smudge Sticks, ethically-made Handwoven Bamboo Baskets, and our Renewable Fiber Totes today!
One Love & Blessings,