Quote Originally Posted by MerPizza View Post
I recently purchased some shells from the thrift store. Can they be returned to the ocean after being used for decor?
no, I would NOT recommend returning any second hand shells to the ocean. Unless you are 100% which beach they were taken from. It's always best not to remove things from one ecosystem and into another. I see how it would seem to be a good idea and in some, probably most, cases it would cause no harm but with no research on this its too much of a risk. If you have personally collected shells off a beach and want to return them to the same beach then go ahead! If they are painted or otherwise treated, or if you don't know where they came from, please keep them.