Littoral Society's SIDCI Program Is Preparing for More in 2024

While many things slow down during the winter months, the American Littoral Society's "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It!" (SIDCI) Shell Recycling Program doesn’t go into hibernation. In fact, program staff are already doing the leg work for expanding the initiative, which is aimed at helping re-oyster New Jersey’s waters!

Those efforts include setting up a new series of Sip N’ Shuck events, with the next one coming up at the end of February.

With the colder season there is a natural slowdown in local seafood consumption, which affects the number of shells we collect. However, this seasonal dip allows time for assessing and enhancing the SIDCI program. Program staff have been hard at work, planning improvements we think will make 2024 a standout year.

A highlight of the revamped program is an expanded schedule of our popular "Sip N Shuck" events. These gatherings at local restaurants will be held regularly until at least June.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming event at Bahr’s Landing, Highlands, NJ, on Thursday, February 29, from 5:30 to 7:30. Announcements of future events will appear on our Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as our website calendar.

While prepping for these public events, we are also actively seeking restaurants to add to our list of recycling partners, so if you have any connections or suggestions please send them to SIDCI Program Coordinator Kyle Patterson at [email protected].

You should also contact Kyle if you want to volunteer to pick up oyster, clam, and mussel shells from our participating local restaurant. Learn more about the Littoral Society’s Shell Recycling program on our website.

In addition to recycling from restaurants, the SIDCI program also collects shell from the community drop-off site located at the Rumson Municipal Boat Ramp. The community drop off offers a great way for people who enjoy oysters, clams or other shellfish to keep their shell out of landfills. 

When dropping off shell, please make sure you use the QR code on the signs at each site in order to record the amount of shell you deposit. And please, no trash! This includes the bag you might use to transport the oysters.

Our "Shuck It, Don't Chuck It" Shell Recycling Program partners with the Barnegat Oyster Collective (BOC), an NJ coalition of oyster farmers operating in and around Barnegat Bay. The collective not only grows and sells oysters, but also works to educate the public and lower barriers of entry for new farmers.

The oyster shell recycling program is sustained through grants from the Marta Heflin Foundation and NOAA Fisheries, along with the help of our volunteers and participating restaurants (find those restaurants listed on our website).