On Tuesday, February 11, the Charles County Commissioners approved oyster shell recycling in Charles County through the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP). This program allows Charles County residents to recycle oyster shells at the county recycling centers (Breeze Farm Recycling Center, Charles County Landfill Recycling Center, Gilbert Run Park Recycling Center, and Pisgah Recycling Center) and receive a tax credit of $1 for each bushel of shells recycled. Twenty years ago, a cooperative coalition of multiple partners commissioned ORP to contribute to a large-scale restoration program to plant disease-free oysters back into the Chesapeake Bay. This partnership resulted in nearly five billion oysters being planted on 1,600 acres of oyster reefs and nearly 30,000 bushels of shells recycled to provide homes for new oysters. ORP leads Maryland’s nonprofit organization for restoring oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Also, ORP operates the region’s Shell Recycling Alliance, supports the state’s Marylanders Grow Oysters program, and provides shellfish aquaculture and fishery support services. For more details, contact the Department of Public Works, Environmental Resources Division at 301-932-3440.
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