Support oyster shell recycling and clean water this week at Good People

This week, the Alabama Coastal Foundation is asking people to “Connect to Your Coast” by dropping in at Good People Brewing Company and having a pint or two of Good People’s Urban Farmer.

Proceeds from the sale of Good People’s Charity Beer of the Week – Urban Farmer – will go toward the Foundation’s Alabama Oyster Shell Recycling Program.

On October 31st, the Foundation celebrated their one year anniversary of the Alabama Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Over the past 12 months, the program collected over 4.75 million shells which translates to approximately of 12 acres of of reef habitat for new oysters to grow.

Why is oyster shell recycling important?

According to Alabama Coastal Foundation’s Executive Director Mark Berte recycled oyster shells provide habitat for oysters and other shellfish and clean water clean water.

“The Alabama Recycling Shell Program is very important because restaurants that sell oysters on the half shell use to pay someone to throw them away into the landfill.  What we’ve asked them to do is to let us have those shells, put them in our recycling containers and the more shells we get the more oysters they can sell in the future, because that valuable natural resource goes back into the water.

“Each half shell can have up to 10 oysters growing on them.  They not only filter out the water – 12 gallons per day for each oyster, but they also provide habitat for other shellfish. They also protect the shoreline from eroding and when big weather events come around they help protect the mainland as well,” stated Berte.

Here is an infographic describing the Alabama Oyster Recycling Program:

The Alabama Coastal Foundation has been holding “Connect to Your Coast” events at restaurants and breweries throughout the year in every corner of the state.

“We try to do these outreach events throughout the state at breweries in particular, because to have good delicious beer, you need good healthy water. That’s why were here at Good People enjoying their charity beer of the week Urban Farmer,” concluded Berte.

Habitat and clean water – an unbeatable combination.  Charity Beer week lasts at Good People  till Friday. If you want to learn more about the Alabama Coastal Foundation check them out at – JoinACF.org