Oyster Shell Recycling Program

The township’s oyster shell recycling program began in 2017. In collaboration with local restaurants, we work to collect post consumer oyster & clam shells -keeping them out of the landfill, to use in restoration projects in and around LBI. These projects focus on growing the oyster population in the bay, and maintaining coastal community resiliency by protecting our shoreline & bay islands. One of those projects being our Clam Cove Restoration project. Scroll below to see updates and participating LBI restaurants!

In December 2023, LBT DPW dropped 10 tons of cured shell from 2022 to the Barnegat Oyster Collective! This contribution of recycled shell is for the NJ COASTAL Project, an initiative dedicated to promoting aquatic habitat on shellfish leases and enhancing water quality throughout the Coastal Bays of New Jersey.

We have the 2023 shell at the field station ready for bagging for the Clam Cove shoreline project. If you have a group that is looking for volunteer opportunities reach out to us. We need 1800 shell bags for the project design we have submitted for permit review.

Pictured: LBT Commissioner Alex Meehan and Ray Bukowski from New Jersey Resources who provided a corporate donation to Clam Cove.

At the last 2023 Commissioner meeting, Kyle Gronostajski and Joe Mangino from the Jetty Rock Foundation presented a check to the Township in support of the shell recycling program and the LBT field station’s programming for Follow the Shell. They also purchased new collection totes for the restaurants to recycle the shell. Commissioner Lattanzi accepted the check on behalf of the town. Thank you to our generous partners.

bags of shell placed to protect the marsh

Current Participating Restaurants

Below are all of the restaurants that have worked with our Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Buckets of oyster & clam shells are collected to use for restoration projects in the bay. Check them out to get some good eats while supporting our project!

Click to go to their websites!