Published on July 07, 2026

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 will continue its Shell Recycling Program with a public shell drop-off location 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) 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 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 NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Shell Recycling Program - Get Involved.