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HB 5014

AN ACT ADDING OYSTER SHELLS TO THE STATE'S LIST OF RECYCLABLE MATERIALS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Gresko

Connecticut bill designates oyster shells as recyclable material to divert waste and support coastal habitat restoration and circular economy uses.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment
#oysters #recycling
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Bill Summary · HB 5014

Legislative bill overview

HB 5014 would expand Connecticut's official list of recyclable materials to include oyster shells. This designation would formally recognize oyster shells as a recyclable commodity under state waste management and recycling programs, potentially enabling their collection and reuse through existing or new recycling infrastructure.

Why is this important

Oyster shells have genuine environmental and economic value—they can be used for water filtration, habitat restoration in marine ecosystems, construction materials, and soil amendments. Formalizing their recyclable status could divert them from landfills, support Connecticut's shellfish industry and coastal restoration efforts, and create economic opportunities for shell collection and processing operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Establishing collection, sorting, and processing infrastructure for oyster shells requires investment; unclear who bears these costs (municipalities, industry, state)
  • Market viability: The bill doesn't address whether sufficient demand and markets exist for recycled oyster shells to make collection economically sustainable long-term
  • Contamination and logistics: Oyster shells may require separate handling from conventional recycling streams; mixing with other materials could create processing problems at existing facilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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