Brunswick County is working with the North Carolina Coastal Federation to help ramp up oyster

shell recycling throughout the county. Rather than tossing shells in the trash, which is banned, there are several new shell recycling drop-off sites throughout the county for public use. Brunswick  County’s Solid Waste and Recycling Program is partnering with the Federation to host the shell drop-off sites at their convenience centers in Sunset Beach at 736 Seaside Road Southwest; Supply at 1709 Oxpen Road Southwest; Southport at 8392 River Road Southeast; and Leland at 9921 Chappell Loop Road Southeast.

Whether from an oyster roast, restaurant or backyard cookout, every shell collected can help protect and restore our coast. Oyster shells are a valuable resource costing up to $3 per bushel  when purchased for coastal restoration. It is also illegal to dump the shells in North Carolina landfills making recycling a better option.

From 2003 to 2018, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries operated a state-funded oyster shell recycling program that provided 6 to 15 percent of the shells needed for restoration projects. This program ended in 2018 due to budget cuts and staff reductions. The Federation is filling that gap by providing a way for people and businesses to support a healthy coastal environment and keep shells out of the trash. Support for the Cape Fear region Recycling for Reefs program comes from the Orton Foundation.

For more information and a complete list of coastwide recycling sites, visit NCCoast.org.