Calvert County has joined a regional recycling effort aimed at supporting oyster hatcheries and the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. Working with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP), Calvert County now provides oyster shell recycling carts at the Appeal Landfill and seven convenience centers.

Residents and businesses can drop off used oyster shells as well as clam and mussel shells that will be recycled for use in oyster hatchery operations. The only requirement is that the shells not be bagged.

“We hope these new shell drop-off sites help more people and businesses actively participate in improving the bay’s health by rebuilding the oyster population,” said Rai Sharma, director of the Calvert County Department of Public Works. “We are glad to do our part to help improve the Chesapeake Bay.”

“One of our goals is to make it convenient for citizens throughout Maryland to recycle shells and have a direct, personal impact on the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay oysters,” said Stephan Abel, executive director of the Oyster Recovery Partnership. “With new drop-off sites in Calvert County, tens of thousands more citizens can participate in ORP’s shell recycling program.”

ORP’s Shell Recycling Alliance has recycled 1,200 tons of shells since 2009. The shells provide the best material for baby oysters to attach to as they grow. Maryland hatcheries have developed techniques to raise more oysters, but they need additional shells to keep up with the growing number of hatchery-produced oysters. Each recycled shell can provide homes for 10 new oysters. Known as a keystone species, oysters serve as the kidneys of bay and one oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day.

The location and hours of operation for the Appeal Landfill and county convenience centers are as follows:

Appeal (Lusby)
401 Sweetwater Road            410-326-0210
Open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m.;
Saturday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 12-7 p.m. (Sunday operations are for bagged household trash and recyclables only)

Ball Road (St. Leonard)
1045 Ball Road                       410-586-1262
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday

Barstow (Prince Frederick)
350 Stafford Road                  410-535-5206
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 12-7 p.m.

Huntingtown
3666 Hunting Creek Road      410-535-4760
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday

Lusby
11725 H. G. Trueman Road   410-326-2611
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday

Mt. Hope (Sunderland)
96 Pushaw Station Road        410-257-3296
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Plum Point
2801 Plum Point Road            410-535-2405
Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; closed Sunday

Maryland offers a $1 per bushel tax credit for shell recycling. While Calvert County cannot issue receipts for shells, the ORP will pick up bulk shells from businesses, certify amounts and issue receipts to be used for tax purposes. To date, ORP picks up from more than 220 restaurants across the state. ORP does not pick up from individual homes.

For more information, call the Calvert County Division of Solid Waste at 410-326-0210 or visit www.co.cal.md.us/recycle.

Business owners interested in ORP pickup may contact Stephan Abel at 410-990-4970 or by email at sabel@oysterrecovery.org. For more information visit:  http://www.oysterrecovery.org.