Connecting restaurants, reef restoration and environmental stewardship across Galveston Bay, Texas
Thanks to a growing network of restaurant partners, oyster shells once destined for landfills are helping restore reefs and strengthen the health of Galveston Bay, Texas.
Since launching in 2011, the Galveston Bay Foundation’s oyster shell recycling program has grown to include dozens of restaurants across southern Texas. Participating restaurants collect and recycle used shells through a process that ultimately returns them to the bay, where they serve as habitat for the next generation of oysters.
Why it matters
Oysters help filter and improve water quality, reduce shoreline erosion and provide habitat for fish and other marine species. Recycling these shells and restoring reefs in the area strengthens the bay’s long-term environmental resilience.
Every shell has a second story to tell
Get an inside look at the journey these recycled oyster shells take as they travel from the dinner plate back to the bay where they can become the foundation for new life and healthier coastal habitats.
Visit the Phillips 66 community impact page to learn more about the company’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities through environmental stewardship and conservation partnerships.
AI-powered tools may have been used to assist with the editing and development of this publication for accuracy, clarity and readability. All content is reviewed and approved by subject-matter experts prior to publishing.