Georgetown County launches oyster shell recycling initiative
April 15, 2026
Georgetown County’s Stormwater Division is working to establish a local oyster shell recycling program aimed at rehabilitating oyster populations, improving water quality and reducing landfill waste. The project is in coordination with the state’s S.C. Oyster Recycling and Education (SCORE) program.
“Georgetown County is one of the major consumers of oysters in the state,” said Rodney Butler, the county’s MS4/ Watershed Specialist. He noted that the concentration of restaurants and seafood establishments in Murrells Inlet generates a significant volume of shells. Currently, those shells often end up in the landfill — where they don’t decompose. 
The new recycling program aims to change that. Collected shells will go through a quarantine period at the county landfill, where organic material is allowed to decay and debris is removed. The processed shells will then be used to build oyster baskets — structures filled with shells and coconut husks that serve as anchoring material for juvenile oysters, which naturally attach to hard surfaces to form colonies.
“We’re going to build these recycling baskets that have the oyster shell in them and put them in the water so that other oysters attach to them to start new colonies,” Butler explained.
Beyond rebuilding oyster populations and keeping material out of the landfill, the program has a practical water quality benefit. Oysters are highly effective filter feeders, removing pollutants and excess nutrients from the water.
The department is currently in the information-gathering phase and is seeking the public’s help. A public survey — developed by Coastal Carolina University student Kiana Shibler, who is interning in the Stormwater Divsion — is now available at https://gtcounty.org/287/Stormwater to help determine where oyster shell collection stations would have the greatest community impact. The survey is open to everyone: residents, visitors and business owners alike. Restaurant owners and seafood retailers are especially encouraged to participate.
Volunteer opportunities are also on the horizon. The county is partnering with Murrells Inlet 2020, the Watershed Committee and SCORE to organize events where community members can help build the oyster baskets and assist with placement in designated restoration sites.
Residents interested in participating or learning more can email [email protected].
