HOUSTON — Did you know shucked oyster shells are placed back into Galveston Bay after you enjoy them at dozens of local restaurants?
Galveston Bay Foundation picks up shells all over the Houston area on a weekly basis as part of its oyster recycling program.
One of the restaurants that participates in the program is BB’s Tex-Orleans.
“We have our staff trained up that, hey, our oyster shells are treated differently now,” said Brooks Bassler, founder and CEO of BB’s.
More than 14 tons of shells have been recycled at five of their locations. BB’s is one of 36 different restaurants that partner with the Galveston Bay Foundation. After customers enjoy oysters at restaurants, the shells sit in quarantine for at least six months. There are currently more than 450 tons of shucked oyster shells sitting in quarantine.
“These oyster shells, if we don’t collect them they’re just going to go to a landfill and be wasted so why not bring them back to the bay to create this new habitat,” Haille Leija with Galveston Bay Foundation said.
After sitting in quarantine, the shells are placed back in the water to restore the bay. Leija explains baby oysters then attach to the recycled shells. It helps them survive and grow.
“They’re absolutely doing their jobs serving as a valuable ecosystem, protecting shorelines, and they’re actually filtering the water for us. Every single one of these oysters that makes it into adult size filters 50 gallons of water a day,” said Leija.
She said if they collect more shells, the Galveston Bay Foundation can restore more of the bay. You can help by eating at the restaurants that chip in.
Here is a list of restaurants that participate in the oyster recycling program:
Houston Restaurant Partners:
BB’s Tex-Orleans – Heights
BB’s Tex-Orleans- Montrose
BB’s Tex-Orleans – Oak Forest
BB’s Tex-Orleans – Upper Kirby
Bludorn
Capt. Benny’s – Gulf Freeway
Eunice
Flying Fish
Goode Co. Seafood – Westpark
La Lucha
Loch Bar
Lowtide Kitchen & Bar
Mambo Seafood – Edgebrook
Nancy’s Hustle
Navy Blue
State of GraceTiny Champions
Winnie’s
Clear Lake Restaurant Partners:
Barge 295
BB’s Tex-Orleans – Webster
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack – Baybrook
Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack – Kemah
Floyd’s Seafood – Webster
Sam’s Boat – Seabrook
The Aquarium – Kemah