Can You Reuse Oyster Shells?
Most of the time, oyster shells needlessly wind up in landfills. There are many different ways oyster shells can be put to good use after the oysters inside have been eaten. Does this Spark an idea?
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Crafts
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If you like jewelry, you can turn oyster shells into earrings or use them as charms for bracelets or necklaces. You can also use them for beach-themed decor by gluing them around the edges of mirrors or photo frames.
Control Garden Pests
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Snails and slugs can do a lot of damage to your garden, and oyster shells can help combat this. Crush up the shells and sprinkle them around your plants. These pests will probably not cross the shells to get to your plants. If they do, the sharpness of the crushed shells will cut them, resulting in death.
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Recycling Programs
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One of the most important ways oyster shells can be reused is through recycling. The Oyster Shell Recycling Alliance collects oyster shells from restaurants and catering companies. They attach young oyster spat, or larvae, to the shells and deposit them back into the ocean. These shells are important because they help rebuild oyster reefs that are quickly declining.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit oyster shell pattern image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
