The 2025 Oyster Bay Festival: Why Recycling Shells Actually Matters

Every year, the Oyster Bay Festival basically takes over the whole town. If you’ve lived here long enough, you already know the deal — tons of food, random people you haven’t seen since middle school, and that smell of fried everything floating through the air. It’s chaotic, but in the best way. But this year, something pretty cool is happening that most people probably won’t notice unless someone points it out: the Shell Recycling Program. Okay, so what’s the big deal with shells? Before this, I honestly never thought twice about what happens to oyster shells after people eat them. I figured they just get tossed in the trash with the napkins and lemon wedges. But apparently, those shells are super important for the bay. Oysters actually need old shells to grow on. No shells = way fewer oysters. And fewer oysters = dirtier water and weaker shorelines. One oyster can clean a ton of water by just… existing. It’s kind of insane. So instead of throwing the shells out, the festival collects them and eventually puts them back into the water to help rebuild oyster reefs. How the recycling thing works It’s not complicated or anything — there are bins around the festival just for oyster shells. You basically eat your oysters, dump the shells into the right bin, and that’s it. Volunteers tell you where to go if you’re confused (which I definitely was at first). After the festival, the shells go to a curing site, sit outside for a while, and then get used for reef-building projects around the area. Local restaurants are pitching in too, not just during the festival but throughout the year. Why anyone should care If you grew up around here, the bay is just part of life — swimming, fishing, boating, all of it. It only makes sense to take care of it, even in small ways. And honestly, recycling shells isn’t difficult. You’re literally just putting them in a different bin. Plus, it’s kind of cool to think that something you ate ends up becoming part of a reef someday. How you can help without putting in a ton of effort Put your shells in the right bin Tell your friends what the program is Volunteer for a bit if you feel like it Support restaurants that recycle shells year-round Post about it — it actually helps people learn about it Final thoughts I know most people go to the Oyster Bay Festival for the food and the vibes. Same. But the shell recycling program is one of those things that actually makes a difference, even if it seems small. If everyone does their part, the bay gets healthier, and honestly, that benefits all of us. So enjoy the festival, eat your oysters, and throw the shells in the right place. Easy win.