In Connecticut, a small team is tackling the waste problem of discarded oyster shells from local restaurants by initiating a program to collect, dry, and return them to Long Island Sound. These shells are crucial for oyster larvae as they promote reef formation, enhancing water quality and providing habitat. Founded by Tim Macklin and Todd Koehnke, the program, called Collective Oyster Recycling & Restoration, has significantly grown, with plans to surpass 400,000 pounds of shell collected from around 50 establishments in the area, contributing to wider oyster population restoration efforts.
"We fill that missing piece," said Tim Macklin, a co-founder of Collective Oyster Recycling & Restoration, the nonprofit group leading the effort.
The Connecticut group is smaller but growing. In 2024, it collected roughly 375,000 pounds of shell. This year, working with a network of about 50 restaurants across Connecticut and a commercial seafood supplier, it is on track to surpass 400,000 pounds.
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