From Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
♦Launched in June 2014, CRCL’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program recycles shell from participating New Orleans-based restaurants and uses that shell to restore oyster reefs and shoreline habitat across Coastal Louisiana.
♦This is the first program of its kind in Louisiana and in its pilot year, it has become the largest shell recycling program in the nation.
♦As of December 2015, the program has collected more than 1535 tons of shell.
Twenty-five Participating Restaurants
Arnaud’s Restaurant • Acme Oyster House (New Orleans and Metairie locations) • Borgne
Bourbon House • Café B • Cooter Brown’s Tavern and Oyster Bar
Curious Oyster Bar (Dryades Public Market)• Drago’s (New Orleans and Metairie locations)
Desire Oyster Bar at the Royal Sonesta • Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar • Frankie and Johnny’s
Grand Isle Restaurant • Le Bayou • Lüke • Mr. Ed’s Oyster Bar and Fish House (New Orleans and Metairie)
Remoulade • Pascal’s Manale • Peche Seafood • Pier 424 Seafood Market • Red Fish Grill
Elysian Seafood (St. Roch Market) • The Royal House
Total Tons Collected Since June 2014
1650
Total Tons Collected In 2015
1123
Total Tons Collected In 2016
115
♦Why recycle oyster shell?
♦Oysters and oyster reefs help improve water quality, provide ideal fish habitat, buffer against storm surge, and support the local economy.
♦Louisiana produces approximately one third of the nation’s oysters
♦Louisiana currently experiences a 60% shell deficit – in that the majority of shell removed from the coast is not returned to coastal waters.
♦ How will the shell be used?
♦CRCL Volunteers will bag and deploy shell along eroding shorelines to help protect shorelines and build reefs.
♦Shell will be donated to facilitate the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries oyster reef aquaculture research.
♦Shell is collected by local recycling company, Phoenix Recycling.
♦The program is expanding! CRCL is recruiting more New Orleans restaurants interested in recycling shell with collection set to begin this summer.
Once you shuck 'em, Don't just chuck 'em!
