Giving Back to the Sea
Oyster shells are the foundation of healthy oyster reefs. Young oysters need a hard surface—ideally another oyster shell—on which to attach and grow. Unfortunately, South Carolina faces a critical shortage of recycled shell, even as oyster reefs remain essential to the Lowcountry. These living reefs filter our waterways, provide habitat for fish, shrimp and crabs, and act as natural barriers that help protect Charleston’s marshes and shorelines from erosion.
At **R8chelK & Co.**, protecting the coast that inspires our work is part of our mission. **For every shell purchased, we donate 10 natural oyster shells to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Oyster Shell Recycling Program.** SCDNR quarantines recycled shells for at least six months before returning them to local estuaries, where they can support new generations of oysters and help restore Charleston’s reefs.
## Charleston-Area Oyster Shell Drop-Off Locations
* **James Island:** SCDNR Marine Resources Center, 217 Fort Johnson Road
* **James Island:** Sol Legare/Battery Island Boat Landing, at the end of Sol Legare Road
* **Mount Pleasant:** Mount Pleasant Recycling and Maintenance Center, off Sweetgrass Basket Parkway
* **North Charleston:** Veterans Terminal area, near Kilo Street and Pierside Street
* **Isle of Palms:** Islander 71, 80 41st Avenue
* **Johns Island:** Gilligan’s Seafood, 160 Main Road — seasonal, September 15 through April 30
* **Wadmalaw Island:** Bears Bluff Fish Hatchery, at the end of Bears Bluff Road
* **Awendaw:** Garris/Moore’s Boat Landing, at the end of Bulls Island Road
* **McClellanville:** McClellanville Town Hall, 405 Pinckney Street
* **Edisto Island:** Recycling center on Highway 174, approximately 0.8 mile from Edisto Beach
Please place **only clean oyster shells** in the recycling bins. Empty shells from bags and remove napkins, utensils, food containers and other trash. Never place freshly shucked or commercially sourced shells directly into local waterways. Locations can change, so please consult the [SCDNR Oyster Recycling Program](https://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/oyster.html) before making a special trip.
