Talisker Single Malt Scotch Whisky said it is collaborating for a second year with Billion Oyster Project on oyster reef restoration efforts and public education initiatives aimed at restoring 1 billion oysters – and a ‘wild spirit’ – to New York Harbor by 2035.
Talisker is the lead sponsor of Billion Oyster Project’s Shell Collection Program, a cornerstone of the nonprofit’s work and an essential recycling process for the resource. Oyster shells provide the base material for oyster reefs, which offer a home for young oysters to grow and hundreds of species in New York Harbor to thrive.
Talisker will support Billion Oyster Project’s ongoing shell collection operations, which are expected to collect more than 200,000 pounds of oyster shells from 50 NYC restaurants and divert them from landfills in 2021.
This year, Talisker is also joining Billion Oyster Project in supporting Senate Bill S4741 in New York State. If passed, the bill will award restaurants that donate shells to oyster reef restoration organizations a small tax credit per pound of shell donated.
In addition to supporting this crucial environmental initiative, the tax credit will help restaurants who have struggled due to closures and restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.