May not sound like a problem, but tossing them in the trash is creating a critical shortage of shell.

It's important to replenish what we harvest to eat in order to keep the oyster population alive. but, restaurants and residents throw so many of the shells out, South Carolina then turns to other states and purchases the same kind of shells we could have just re-used.

The process seems simple. shuck, suck and save. But the problem, "a lot of people don't know where the nearest drop off is, a lot don't know that we even recycle oysters, a lot don't even know why we do it," said Andy Jennings, a Shellfish Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

The reasons are not so shells can serve as good picking for say decoration--but instead for re-generation.

"Oysters in their larvaue form need a place to attach to start their new lives," said Jennings.

That empty shell, a safe haven, if re-planted. "if u build, they will come--thats kinda the way it is with oysters," said Jennings.

"I didn't know. I've eatin oysters all my life," said Bev Arner, an oyster lover.

There's no state law banning people from throwing shell out, but jennings believes better cooperation could save taxpayer dollars.

"The restaurants have been a bit of a tough nut to crack as far as the logistics, getting in and out, having enough people to run the route," said Jennings.

There are recycle sites set up all along the coast. But biologists say you don't want to just dump them back in the ocean on your own. If not properly dried out, the shells could introduce new organisms or bacteria into the local eco-system, especially if the shellfish came from out of state.

South Carolina consumes about 200,000 bushels every year, but only 15,000 are recycled.