Save Oyster Shells in Virginia
CBF's oyster shell recycling program recovers shell for oyster restoration projects.
Ryan Westpfahl/CBF Staff
Oyster shells are literally the foundation of our reef restoration efforts! The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) needs your help—and your oyster shells—to restore native oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.
You can help by:
- Contacting us if you are planning an oyster roast or seafood festival.
- Sponsoring a shell recycling bin at your location.
- Disposing of your shells at a local shell recycling location.
- Eating at a participating restaurant.
Virginia Shell Recycling
Oyster Roasts & Seafood Festivals | Drop-off Locations | Restaurants
Oyster Roasts & Seafood Festivals
CBF collects shells from oyster roasts and seafood festivals. Contact Ryan Westpfahl ahead of time at [email protected] or 757-644-4119 and we can provide free pickup, as well as bins and signage to minimize shells mixing with other refuse. If your roast produces more than 3-5 bushels of shell, we can also come pick up everything after the event.
Drop-off Locations
There are several public shell recycling drop-off locations across Virginia. If you are interested in hosting a shell-recycling bin, contact CBF's oyster restoration office at 757-644-4125.
All bins on the Eastern Shore are sponsored by the Eastern Shore Community Services Board (ESCSB). If you have any questions regarding the program or these shell bins, please call ESCSB Developmental Services at 757-442-3933.
Information is provided in list form below the map.
AccomackESCSB Administrative Office Cape CharlesFabric Outlet CarrolltonCaptain Chuck-a-muck's ChesapeakeGreat Bridge High School ExmoreESCSB Developmental Services Glen AllenHenrico County Parks and Recreation HamptonSam Rust Seafood MidlothianClover Hill High School Newport NewsMariners Museum NorfolkErnie Morgan Environmental Action Center Larchmont Library |
ParksleyESCSB's Behavioral Healthcare Center Dunne Substance Abuse and Counseling Center SmithfieldSmithfield Station SuffolkBennetts Creek Park SurrySurry Seafood Company ToanoJames City County Recycling Center Virginia BeachCBF Brock Environmental Center Ocean Lakes High School Tallwood High School WachapreagueIsland House WilliamsburgCollege of William & Mary Campus James City County Recycling Center |
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Does CBF sell oyster shells? Can I buy shells for my driveway? |
Participating Restaurants
These restaurants recycle the shell produced from their menu items to CBF. They do not accept public shell drop offs. Please see section above to locate the public drop off bin nearest you. The following restaurants also participate in the Save Oyster Shells program:
ChesapeakeBlack Pelican HamptonBaker's Wife HayesMobjack Tavern Newport NewsSchlesinger's Steakhouse Norfolkin partnership with Keep Norfolk Beautiful and Norfolk Waste Management A.W. Shucks |
SmithfieldCaptain Chuck-a-muck's SurrySurry Seafood Company Virginia BeachBubba's WilliamsburgAberdeen Barn |
More Ways to Help
- Become a volunteer and help collect shells from participating restaurants and oyster roasts.
- Become a Virginia oyster gardener.
To participate or for more program information, contact Ryan Westpfahl at [email protected] or 757-644-4119.
Partners and Funders
Shell collection in Norfolk is supported by Keep Norfolk Beautiful and Norfolk Waste Management. There are many other entities in Virginia that collect oyster shell and make restoration possible, including the Virginia Oyster Shell Recycling Program (VOSRP) at Virginia Commonwealth University's Rice Rivers Center, Lynnhaven River NOW, and Friends of the Rappahannock. Learn more about their efforts and support them as they make use of this precious resource.
