ORP’s Shell Recycling Alliance is comprised of Bay-friendly businesses that go above and beyond, dutifully recycling oyster shells to be used in Chesapeake restoration efforts. Shell is an increasingly limited, mission-critical resource for ORP, and the most natural material used to rebuild reefs. ORP’s shell recycling team keeps detailed records of the number of shells recycled from each member… This Earth Day, we’re announcing the Top Ten Shell Recycling Alliance Contributors of 2025! Of course, every shell recycling partner deserves a round of applause for their sustainable practices, and we hope you’ll dine with them – and tell them ORP sent you! See the complete list here.
Top Ten Contributors
- Jessie Taylor Seafood (Washington, D.C.) – 1,728 bushels of shell
- Old Ebbitt Grill (Washington, D.C.) – 1,138 bushels
- True Chesapeake Oyster Co. (Baltimore, MD) – 882 bushels
- Boatyard Bar & Grill (Annapolis, MD) – 868 bushels
- King Street Oyster Bar (Potomac, MD) – 775 bushels
- Whiskey & Oyster (Alexandria, VA) – 740 bushels
- King Street Oyster Bar (Washington, D.C.) – 700 bushels
- The Salt Line (Washington, D.C.) – 611 bushels
- Ryleigh’s Oyster (Lutherville-Timonium, MD) – 602 bushels
- Harris Crab House (Eastern Shore, MD) – 534 bushels
“At True Chesapeake, oysters aren’t just one of the most popular items on our menu — they’re our craft and our livelihood,” said Patrick Hudson, Managing Partner, True Chesapeake. “As both an oyster farm and a Maryland seafood restaurant, we witness every day how oysters restore the Bay, support local ecosystems, and create meaningful jobs in our community. That’s why we’re proud to be one of ORP’s top shell recycling partners. Their work connects people to the impact oysters have on the environment and economy, and we’re honored to be part of that mission. This Earth Day we’re celebrating reaching the 16 million oysters planted milestone…and we’re just getting started!!”
Danielle Anderson, Director of Operations for Homegrown Restaurant Group – the parent company of Whiskey & Oyster – said, “Can we talk about what a COOL initiative we get to be a part of every year? ORP has been a huge part of what we do at Whiskey & Oyster. The last few years we’ve been a top partner in contributing to oyster recycling. We’ve been able to see how the process continues to help the long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay. Since 2019, we have recycled more than 3,350 bushels between our $1 oyster day and daily business. We love sharing the process of how the shells are recycled with our guests!”
ORP’s shell recycling efforts have kept 10,920 tons out of area landfills, saved local businesses approximately $870,000 in waste collection fees, and provided enough substrate to support the planting of up to 1.56 billion spat-on-shell in local waters. The program is the nation’s largest, with nearly 200 member businesses in the DMV and 70 public shell drop sites.
“Last year, ORP’s Shell Recycling Alliance recovered approximately 27,281 bushels of shells, bringing the grand total to over 340,000 bushels recycled since the program’s inception in 2010,” said Tommy Price, ORP’s Shell Recycling Manager. “This volume is enough shell to fill nearly SEVEN Olympic-sized swimming pools. With the demand for shells growing, we greatly appreciate each member’s contributions. They make a huge difference in our restoration efforts.”
Oysters do more than just taste good — they do good. These hardworking bivalves naturally filter and clean the Bay’s waters, while their reefs provide critical habitat for fish, crabs, and countless other marine species. Their impact doesn’t stop there — oysters also support local economies, creating jobs for watermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities. Good for the Bay. Good for the people. And yes — darn good on a plate, too.
Oyster shell is an essential building block for a healthy oyster population. In fact, every half shell can become “home” for 10+ spat (juvenile oysters). After collection, the shell is aged outdoors for one year, washed, and then set with spat at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, MD. ORP works with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and more restoration partners to plant the spat-on-shell onto specially selected reefs throughout the Chesapeake Bay. To date, ORP has planted 13.1 billion oysters on more than 3,000 acres of oyster habitat in Maryland. Learn more about Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration efforts here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Tommy Price, [email protected], 410.990.4970 x1011.