RESTAURANT Recycling

recycle your restaurant’s oyster shells

New Orleans and Baton Rouge restaurants can turn their discarded shells into restored oyster reefs by partnering with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program (OSRP). Since 2014, the OSRP has recycled over 14 million pounds of shell to build 8,000 feet of oyster reef habitat across coastal Louisiana. These living shorelines support Louisiana’s seafood industry by creating habitat for oysters to grow and protecting our coast from erosion, sea level rise and storm damage.

Restaurants report that our program can reduce the frequency and cost of trash pick-ups and keeps kitchen and waste deposit areas cleaner and more organized. People support restaurants that are making a positive impact. The more oyster shells you recycle, the more oysters we can grow to protect our coast. It’s a win-win!

How it works:

Restaurants discard oyster shells in bins provided by CRCL.
Local recycling companies are contracted to empty your bins and replace them with clean, sanitized bins during each pick-up.
CRCL engages volunteers and local communities to return the recycled shells to Louisiana’s coast to grow new oysters!
Restaurants apply for Louisiana’s oyster shell recycling tax credit to receive $1 for every 50 pounds of shell recycled.
Repeat!

Restaurant benefits:

High-quality service: CRCL and contractors communicate daily with restaurants to guarantee seamless service. We guarantee that our contractors will respond to on-site requests in a timely manner.

Oyster shell recycling tax credit: As of January 1, 2024, all Louisiana restaurants recycling oyster shells will be eligible to receive a tax credit of $1 per 50 pounds of shell, up to $2,000 annually. CRCL will provide a detailed report of your restaurant’s annual recycling numbers for the credit application.

The Oyster Dish: Receive a quarterly newsletter detailing your shell contribution and providing program updates.

Promotion and Media: Recognition on all relevant CRCL promotional materials and media, including name hyperlinked on the Oyster Shell Recycling Program page on CRCL’s website.

Opportunities: Participate in exclusive promotional activities such as news articles and media appearances, fundraisers and more!

become a RESTAURANT partner