Save Oyster Shells in Maryland

Oyster shells are literally the foundation of our reef restoration efforts! The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) needs your help—and your oyster shells—to restore native oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

You can help by:

  1. Contacting us if you are planning an oyster roast or seafood festival.
  2. Sponsoring a shell recycling bin at your location.
  3. Disposing of your shells at a local shell recycling location.
  4. Eating at a participating restaurant.

Maryland Shell Recycling

Oyster Roasts & Seafood Festivals | Drop-off Locations | Restaurants

Oyster Roasts & Seafood Festivals

CBF collects shells from oyster roasts and seafood festivals. Contact Dan Johannes ahead of time at [email protected] or 443-482-2174 and we can provide free pickup, as well as bins and signage to minimize shells mixing with other refuse.

Drop-off Locations

There are several public shell recycling drop-off locations across Maryland. If you are interested in hosting a shell-recycling bin, contact Dan Johannes at [email protected] or 443-482-2174.

Annapolis

Anglers Hunting Fishing
Near Sandy Point State Park
1456 Whitehall Road
Annapolis, MD
(Save Our Shell (SOS) bin out front under the Anglers sign)

Annapolis Seafood Market
1300 Forest Drive
Annapolis, MD
(Save Our Shell (SOS) bin located behind store)

Chesapeake Bay Foundation 
Philip Merrill Center
6 Herndon Avenue
Annapolis, MD
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage at the entrance)

Eastport Yacht Club
317 First Street
Annapolis, MD

Weems Creek Nursery School
238 Kirkley Road
Annapolis, MD

Shell recycling bins in the Annapolis area are sponsored by Annapolis Subaru.

Baltimore

Parking lot of the Downtown Sailing Center and Baltimore Museum of Industry, to the right of the entrance.
1415-1425 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD

Chesapeake Beach

Breezy Point Marina
5230 Breezy Point Road
Chesapeake Beach, MD 20732

Easton

Easton Point 24 Hour Gas and Diesel
930 Port Street
Easton, MD

Edgewater

Oak Grove Marina
Next to Yellowfin Restaurant
2820 Solomon's Island Rd, Suite A
Edgewater, MD 21037
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage in the upper parking lot)

Frederick

Common Market Co-Op
927 W. 7th Street
Frederick, MD
(Ask at the seafood counter where to drop off your shells)

May's Restaurant
5640 Urbana Pike
Frederick, MD

Shuckin' Shack Restaurant
41 S Market Street
Frederick, MD
(Collection containers are located behind the restaurant)

Glen Burnie

Arturo's Restaurant
1660 Crain Hwy South
Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Lake Shore/Pasadena

Bodkin Elementary School
8320 Ventnor Road
Lake Shore, MD 21122
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage is located to the left of the school, near the dumpster area)

Severna Park

Starbucks
503 Ritchie Highway
Severna Park, MD 21146
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage in the rear parking lot)

Shady Side

Discovery Village
4800 Atwell Road
Shady Side, MD 20764
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage in outer parking lot)

Union Bridge

Gravel Springs Farm
3401 Lowman Lane
Union Bridge, MD 21791
(Public dropoff location bin is located half-way down the driveway on the left side)

Upper Marlboro

Clagett Farm and CSA
11904 Old Marlboro Pike
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(Save Our Shell (SOS) cage is located at the entrance)

Participating Restaurants

The following restaurants also participate in the Save Oyster Shells program:

Annapolis

Annapolis Yacht Club Clubhouse
Leo Annapolis

Baltimore

The Ivy Hotel and Magdalena Restaurant

Bel Air

Conrad's Crab & Seafood Market

Easton

4 Dogs Brewing Co & Pub
Legal Assets Craft Food & Spirits

Essex

McFaul's Oyster & Reel

Frederick

Firestone
Liberty Road Seafood & Steak
May's Restaurant
Red Horse Steak House
Shuckin' Shack

Galesville

Pirates Cove Restaurant

Gambrills

Blue Dolphin

Glen Burnie

Arturo's Restaurant

Havre de Grace

Water Street Seafood

North East

Forge

Parkville

McFaul's Ironhorse Tavern

Port Deposit

Lee's Landing Dock Bar

Severna Park

Brian Boru Restaurant & Pub

Shady Side

Brick House Restaurant

St. Michaels

Bistros
Theo's Steak, Sides & Spirits

To learn more about how you can become involved in the oyster shell recycling program please contact Dan Johannes at [email protected] or 443-482-2174.

To learn more about CBF's oyster recycling partners in Maryland please visit the Oyster Recovery Partnership.

More Ways to Help

  • Become a volunteer and help collect shells from participating restaurants and oyster roasts.
  • Become a Maryland oyster gardener.
Oyster Restoration

The Bay Needs You

The State of the Bay Report makes it clear that the Bay needs our support now more than ever. Your donation helps the Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintain our momentum toward a restored Bay, rivers, and streams for today and generations to come.

Donate Today

Volunteer

Do you enjoy working with others to help clean the Chesapeake Bay? Do you have a few hours to spare? Whether growing oysters, planting trees, or advocating for a clean Bay, there are plenty of ways you can contribute.

Volunteer
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