New Community Shell Drop-Off Set to Open in Point Pleasant

Participants in our Sip N' Shuck Events not only get to enjoy eating oysters but also learn how to shuck them with the help of Littoral Society staff and the Barnegat Oyster Collective team. (Photo by David Hawkins/American Littoral Society).

While our “Shuck It, Don’t Chuck It!” (SIDCI) shell recycling program doesn’t go into hibernation over the winter, the shell-collecting work does slow way down.

However, with the arrival of Spring we anticipate not just a big uptick in shells collected, but also a host of SIDCI events and the opening of a new community shell drop-off.

This summer, the SIDCI program should be recycling from a total of 12 restaurants, 2 of which will be totally managed by our wonderful volunteers. Volunteers will be crucial given the growing workload, so if you would like to lend a hand, please sign up on our website.

Also, on our website you find more information about the SIDCI program, including our list of participating recycling partners, sponsors, and upcoming events.

We expect a massive increase in shell collection when the weather starts warming and that will be useful to our restoration team, which is working on projects that could include recycled shell all across New Jersey – including multiple sites in the Barnegat and Delaware bays, as well as along the Shark River. Learn more about that work through our recent restoration roundup.

In addition to recycling from restaurants, we will be augmenting our shell collection with the addition of a second community drop-off site.

The Littoral Society currently maintains a public shell drop-off site at the Rumson Municipal Boat Ramp. The second site will be opening at Shore Fresh Fish Market in Point Pleasant, NJ!

Community drop-offs offer 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.

Finally, we are planning more events to help spread the word about our shell recycling program. These Sip n’ Shuck events give participants the opportunity to talk directly with Littoral Society staff involved with the SIDCI program, and the farmers from the Barnegat Oyster Collective, while also learning how to shuck oysters.
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Keep an eye on the Upcoming Events page on our website for SIDCI activities.