NJDEP Fish & Wildlife launched a shell recycling program in 2019 that was centered in Atlantic City, where discarded clam and oyster shells from restaurants were collected and reused to enhance local oyster reefs. The program began with a single restaurant partner and was initially focused solely on the Atlantic City region. The program grew quickly to involve nearly every major casino and seafood restaurant in Atlantic City within just a few years.
NJDEP reports the program now includes 32 restaurant partners across Atlantic, Cape May, and Ocean counties, significantly increasing shell collection efforts and resulting in more available shells for oyster reef enhancement.
This week, NJDEP announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Sysco Corporation for a significant expansion of the state’s successful program that uses seafood shells recycled from restaurants for creation of oyster reefs. NJDEP claims “the reefs can improve the ecological health of coastal waters, reduce waste to landfills, enhance climate resilience and benefit local restaurants.”
NJDEP reports “through this partnership, Sysco, the world’s largest food distributor, will collect discarded oyster and clam shells from restaurants it serves across the region and provide them to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Shell Recycling Program for oyster reef enhancement projects to expand multiple sites along the state’s coastline.”
NJDEP claims “the additional shells will directly result in more planted reefs, which means more available habitat for oyster larvae to settle and grow — leading to greater recruitment, population recovery, and ecosystem benefits.”
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Assistant Commissioner Dave Golden states: “These reefs offer critical habitat for a wide range of recreational and commercially important marine species. By recycling shells, we reduce waste and support the recovery of ecosystems that benefit both marine life and coastal communities.”
The success of the program has drawn interest locally as well as nationally. NJDEP proudly announced “the Fish & Wildlife Shell Recycling Program has received multiple accolades for its work.” “At its Fall 2024 meeting, the Environmental Council of the States awarded an Honorable Mention to the program for a video showcasing the shell recycling process.” “In 2024, the program gained funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coastal Zone Management Program, enabling expansion beyond Atlantic City and development of a robust environmental education program.” “Earlier this year, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s Shell Recycling Program team members were honored at the 2025 State Employee Recognition Day award ceremony as part of Public Service Recognition Week.”
For additional information, you may contact me at afox@capehart.com or follow the Shell Recycling Program.