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 Fish & Wildlife Division is excited to announce the opening of its first two Shell Recycling Program public shell drop-off locations at the Knife & Fork Inn in Atlantic City and at the Shelter Road Recycling Center in Ocean City. 

Anybody can drop off empty shells at the Shelter Road Recycling Center (1 Shelter Road off Tennesee 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.