In 2003, Florida reused 6,000 tons of concrete rubble in Pensacola Bay: The material helped build a 7-acre oyster reef, and seagrass later spread to 2.5 acres

Downtown Pensacola has witnessed an inspiring transformation through Project GreenShores, which repurposed recycled concrete rubble into a vibrant living reef. This collaborative effort among various local and federal agencies has successfully established oyster habitats and expanded seagrass meadows in the bay. Scientific evaluations indicate that the recycled materials are safe for aquatic wildlife, highlighting an effective strategy for restoring coastal environments using construction waste.