Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program

Oyster Recycling and Restoration Program

Why Should I Recycle My Oyster Shell?

Although South Carolina's commercial shellfish harvest has remained stable over the past three decades, the closing of oyster canneries and most shucking houses during this period has resulted in a shortage of shucked oyster shell needed to cultivate and restore oyster beds. The increasing popularity of backyard oyster roasts and by-the-bushel retail sales have contributed to this shortage in that, contrary to the shucking houses and canneries, shells remaining from individual oyster roasts are not usually returned to the estuary to provide a suitable surface to attract juvenile oysters. More often than not, the shell ends up in driveways and landfills.

These factors have contributed to the critical shortage of oyster shell used for planting purposes and sustaining oyster habitat. The state has been forced to purchase the majority of its oyster shell from out-of-state processors to supplement our stocks of shell for planting. In order for SCDNR to properly manage the state's shellfish resources and maintain these critical habitats, we must continue to maximize our efforts to recycle our oyster shells. Recycling your shells will help restore, preserve, and enhance the state's inshore marine habitat.

OYSTERS - A seafood delicacy and:

A Harvestable & Renewable Resource: Each year tens of thousands of bushels are harvested recreationally and commercially.

Estuarine Filters: Adult oysters filter up to 2.5 gallons of water per hour or up to 50 gallons per day. Habitat: Oysters build reefs which provide habitat for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other animals. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. There are 70 different species that frequent oyster reefs, including; Red Drum, Blue Crabs, Flounder, and Shrimp.

Erosion Control: Oyster reefs are natural breakwaters that absorb wave energy and protect marsh shorelines from erosion.

How does this process work?

During the summer months, oysters spawn and release free-swimming larvae, called spat, into the water column. The spat are carried by tide and current and after spending about two weeks moving in the water column, seek a suitable surface upon which to attach and begin building their shells of calcium carbonate. Unless disturbed, they will spend the remainder of their life cycle where they have attached. Centuries of oyster cultivation experience have proven oyster shell to be one of most desirable materials (called cultch) for attachment and subsequent growth of young oysters. Other cultch materials, such as shucked whelk shell and wooden stakes have been very successful in attracting and supporting oyster spat.

Your license recycles!

Each year, oyster shell used for planting public shellfish grounds has become increasingly expensive and hard to find. A SCDNR project, funded by the revenue generated by Saltwater Recreational Fishing License sales, makes it possible to recycle oyster shell and reclaim this valuable resource to enhance shellfish habitat. As this conservation initiative gains public awareness and participation, it is hoped that increased volumes of oyster shell will be made available for planting Public Shellfish Grounds by SCDNR personnel and equipment and by contract with private companies to improve recreational shellfish harvesting opportunities for the public.

Recycling Do's and Don'ts

DO separate shell from trash. Shell mixed with trash is not suitable for recycling. Provide separate containers for shell and trash.
DO dump shells from bags or containers and leave only shells in the bins.
DO bring your shell to the nearest shell recycling center. Maps are provided below. If a center is not shown near you, please call 843-953-9397.
DON'T put live oysters in South Carolina waters. If the oysters you purchased were harvested outside South Carolina, it is illegal to place them in SC waters. Placing imported oysters in our waters can create environmental problems and may harm local oysters or other animals.
DON'T put freshly shucked oysters shell in SC waters. To avoid contamination, shell should be recycled to DNR and properly quarantined for 6 months.

Where can I take my oyster shell to recycle them?

With the cooperation of local and county governments and businesses in coastal South Carolina, oyster shell recycling drop-off sites (places where the public can bring their oyster shells) have been established in convenient locations. Sixteen drop-off sites have been established and are ready to receive shell. Location of sites are: Click on the maps below to bring up Adobe PDF file and a larger view. Maps are from 245 KB - 477 KB in file size.

	Cedar Hill Landing (Adobe PDF - file size 373KB) From Georgetown take US 17 N. Bear right onto Murrells Inlet US 17 Bus. Fire Station is 0.3 miles on the right. From Myrtle Beach take Myrtle Beach US 17 South to Murrells Inlet. Turn left onto US 17 Bus. Murrells Inlet. Cedar Hill Landing is 4.1 miles on the left.
	Edisto Beach (Adobe PDF - file size 391KB) Take Highway 174 toward Edisto Beach State Park. Approximately 12.1 miles from the Dawhoo Bridge there is a recycling center on left or 0.8 miles from the beach on right. Look for blue recycling signs.
	Fort Johnson (Adobe PDF - file size 441KB) From Charleston take US 17 (Savannah Hwy) South. Turn left of 171 (Folly Rd.) for 4.5 miles. Turn left onto Fort Johnson Rd for 4.8 miles. Enter the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources gate and continue on main road and follow the oyster drop-off sign. The drop-off site is in the back of the grass field with a trailer and sign.
	Garden City Fire Department (Adobe PDF - file size 353KB) From Georgetown take US 17 N. Bear right onto Murrells Inlet US 17 Bus. Fire Station is 3.80 miles on the right. From Myrtle Beach take Myrtle Beach US 17 South to Murrells Inlet. Turn left onto US 17 Bus. Murrells Inlet. Fire station is 0.8 miles on the left. Trailer is behind fire station.
	Garris Landing (Adobe PDF - file size 245KB) Take US 17 N. toward Awendaw. Turn right on Seewee Rd. for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Bulls Island Rd and follow to the end. Drop-off site is in the left back corner of the parking lot near the restroom area.
	Gilligan’s Goose Creek (Adobe PDF - file size 200KB) Address 219 St. James Ave. Goose Creek, SC. Coming from I-26 head north on Highway 52. Take a left onto Highway 176. Travel approximately one mile and you will see Gilligans on your left. Take a left at the light onto Bridgetown Rd. and then another left onto St. James Ave. and into the Gilligans parking lot. The recycling bin is a DNR trailer in the back corner of the parking lot. This recycling location is available seasonally from September 15 to April 30.
	Gilligan’s Johns Island (Adobe PDF - file size 227KB) From Johns Island take Main Road toward Highway 17. Gilligan’s is 1.4 miles after the Main Rd./River Rd. traffic light, on the left. Or from West Ashley, take Highway 17 South. Take a left at Main Rd. going towards Johns Island. Gilligan’s is 0.23 miles on the right. The recycling bin is a DNR trailer that is located behind the restaurant. This recycling location is available seasonally from September 15 to April 30.
	Huntington Beach State Park/Murrells Inlet (Adobe PDF - file size 319KB) From Georgetown take U.S. Highway 17 north toward Myrtle Beach. Approximately 7.0 miles north of Pawley's Island, past Brookgreen Gardens turn right on to dirt road marked "Oyster Shell Recycling". Shell recycling drop-off is 0.1 miles on the right.
	Jessen Landing (Adobe PDF - file size 327KB) Take 642/Drochester Rd. N. Turn left onto Ladson Rd. Follow Ladson Rd. for 0.6 miles. Enter Jessen Landing. Drop-off site is to the right near the fence of the parking lot as you enter.
	Kiawah (Adobe PDF - file size 135KB) From Johns Island take Main Rd. toward Kiawah and Seabrook. Take the round-about toward Kiawah. After the round-about travel 1.6 miles and take a right into Mingo point (there is a sign for Mingo Point). The recycling bin is a DNR trailer that is in the parking lot to the right. If you get to Kiawah’s main gate you have gone to far.
	McClellanville (Adobe PDF - file size 334KB) Take US 17 N. to McClellanville. Turn right onto 45/S. Pickney St. Merge onto Pickney St. Turn right at town hall. Drop-off site is on the right near the fire tower.
	Mount Pleasant (Adobe PDF - file size 297KB) From Mt. Pleasant, Highway 17 N. 0.8 miles past Isle of Palms Connector, turn right onto Six Mile Road before Laing Middle School. Take Six Mile Road for 0.25 miles and turn right into Mount Pleasant Public Works Facility. Shell recycling drop-off is on left. Hours of operation: 7 AM to 4:30PM weekdays except holidays.
	Reds Ice House (Adobe PDF - file size 160KB) From downtown Charleston cross over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge towards Mt. Pleasant. Stay right and take the Coleman Blvd. exit. After the first traffic light past the bridge travel 1.14 miles and take a right at the traffic light onto Mill St. Go straight until you dead end into a gravel parking lot. The recycle bin is a DNR trailer in the back of the parking lot next to the dumpster. This recycling location is available seasonally from September 15 to April 30.
	Russ Point (Adobe PDF - file size 393KB) Highway 21 south from Beaufort 16 miles to Hunting Island. Before Bridge to Fripp Island turn right onto county dirt road. Shell recycling drop-off is 0.3 Miles on left.
	Shanklin Road (Adobe PDF - file size 393KB) On Highway 21 Heading north from Beaufort, turn left onto Shanklin road. Shanklin road is approximately 0.6 miles north of the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station Main Gate. Follow Shanklin road for 0.75 miles to Beaufort County Public Works Department. Turn right into solid waste recycling center. Ask attendant for key and directions to shell recycling drop-off. Hours of operation: 7AM to 7PM seven days per week.
	Shucker’s Raw Bar in Myrtle Beach (Adobe PDF - file size 181KB) Shucker’s Raw Bar is located on the corner of Highway 17/N. Kings Hwy and 3rd Avenue N. If you are traveling on Hwy 17 you will be able to see the sign. The restaurant is located directly on the corner. The public recycling bin is a DNR trailer that is in the parking lot behind the restaurant.
	Sol Legare' (Adobe PDF - file size 388KB) Take Highway 171(Folly Rd) toward Folly Beach. Approximately 2.3 mile from Ft. Johnson road, turn right onto Sol Legare' Rd and follow the road 2.5 miles down to the end –Battery Island Boat Landing. Drop off site is on left.
	Town of Port Royal (Adobe PDF - file size 403KB) Take Ribaut Road (SC Highway 802) west Towards Port Royal and Parris Island approximately 4.0 miles. Turn left onto Paris Ave. for 0.7 miles, then left behind Port Royal Town Hall onto 7th Street. At stop sign, go straight across onto Sands Beach Rd. Shell recycling drop-off is 0.3 miles on the left.
	Waccamaw (Adobe PDF - file size 397KB) Take Highway 17 North through Georgetown. Before the Waccamaw river bridge, turn left toward the Winyah Bay Fishing and Observation pier. Shell recycling drop off site is located approximately 0.3 miles on right. Look for blue recycling signs.
	West Ashley (Adobe PDF - file size 477KB) Leaving Charleston, take Highway 61( St. Andrews Blvd.) Approximately 1.8 miles from the Ashley River Bridges, a Recycling Drop Off trailer is located approximately 0.2 on the right hand side of the road-before the fork of 171 and 61. 1000 St. Andrews Blvd. (Charleston Outdoor Catering-Jamie Westerndorf) 769-6889