Shuck Don't Chuck: shell recycling project

Reinstating a natural cycle

To help reinvigorate this natural cycle, we set up a shell recycling project we call Shuck Don’t Chuck. Here’s how it works:

• Firstly we collect used oyster, mussel and scallop shells from restaurants, venues and seafood wholesalers in areas alongside some of our reef restoration projects. 
• Secondly, the shells are cured to kill off any diseases by laying them out in the sun for a few months. 
• When they’re ready they are bagged up and taken to our reef restoration sites. 
• Finally as part of the reef construction process, the tonnes of recycled shells are spread over limestone rubble we’ve already placed on the seafloor as a ‘settlement substrate’ for juvenile oysters to cement onto.

This technique has been used successfully by The Nature Conservancy in the United States and around the world for more than 15 years.

Community involvement 

We’re always on the lookout for more hospitality venues in Geelong and Melbourne who’d be interested in joining the project to recycle their seafood shells. To find out more, please contact us. 

We’re proud to work on this project in partnership with Brambles, Geelong Disabled Peoples Industries, Little Creatures Geelong, SUEZ, HSBC Bank Australia, Mantzaris Fisheries, South Melbourne Markets, Advance Mussel Supplies, Barking Spider Visual Theatre, Dow Chemical Australia, Telegraph Hotel, Vue Group, Collins Quarter, Il Nostro Posto, Stokehouse and Melbourne Hospitality People (St Kilda Venues) on this exciting and impactful project.