Get rid of your old oyster and clam shells at the Shelter Road Recycling Center in Ocean City. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
If you enjoy eating oysters and clams at home, you can now help enhance natural oyster reefs simply by recycling your shells.
The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection's Fish & Wildlife Division has announced the opening of its first two Shell Recycling Program public shell drop-off locations.
They are at the Shelter Road Recycling Center in Ocean City and at the Knife & Fork Inn in Atlantic City.
Anyone can drop off empty shells at the Shelter Road Recycling Center (1 Shelter Road off Tennessee Avenue in Ocean City) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Memorial Day, then 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays after Memorial Day.
The DEP will transport the shells to help create natural reefs that help repopulate New Jersey waters with oysters.
To learn more about the innovative Shell Recycling Program, visit dep.nj.gov/njfw/fishing/marine/shell-recycling-program.
