top of page

Oyster Shell Recycling Program

In August 2016, the Alabama Coastal Foundation received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to establish an oyster shell recycling program for local restaurants! NFWF provided the funding as a part of the Gulf Coast Conservation Grants Program.

 

Oyster shells collected through this program are going back into Alabama waters to help more oysters grow, provide habitat, limit erosion and improve water quality. This program is one of the activities that ACF has  under our involvement with the Create a Clean Water Future Campaign.

 

The program was set up in phases starting with the Causeway Route (Fall 2016) and the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Route (Spring 2017) for Phase 2. After that, the program is now open to all restaurants in coastal Alabama. Please take a moment to thank participating restaurants by visiting them and posting on their social media.

 

To ensure the success of this project, ACF has formed an Advisory Committee. To see who has agreed to serve, please click here to download the list of Advisory Committee members.

 

To view the infographic created for this program, please click here.

 

Click here to visit the FAQ page to learn more about this exciting new program!

To purchase a locally-made T Shirt that benefits the program, or to view photos of art made by local artists out of oyster shells, click here!

Program Statistics
as of 2/12/2025

  • Shells Collected: 25,460,994

  • Weight equal to # of elephants: 534

  • Weight equal to # of manatees: 6,410

  • Number of dump trucks filled: 402.8

  • Acres of reef restored: 95.6

Since 1993, the Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF) has worked to promote a culture where environmental decisions are based on an accurate understanding of the underlying science, the dissemination of factual information, and the engagement of government, industry, and citizens to find solutions to our coastal challenges. We bring that vision into reality through our inclusive environmental stewardship approach.

Keep up to date on events and opportunities to improve and protect Alabama's precious coastal environment by following our social media platforms:

​​© 2025 by the Alabama Coastal Foundation.​

All Rights Reserved.

  • s-facebook
  • Instagram Metallic
  • s-youtube
  • s-linkedin
  • TikTok

If you would like to connect to your coast, please email, call, or write us:

info@joinACF.org

(251) 990-6002

PO Box 1073

Mobile, AL 36633

bottom of page