The second life of the cork stopper
Cork stoppers are a natural, recyclable and reusable product. To take advantage of and preserve this valuable resource, a growing number of countries have taken measures to implement recycling initiatives, in order to raise awareness of the importance of this material among local populations. Although recycled cork is never reused to manufacture cork stoppers for wine, there are many other possible alternative applications. For example, corkboards, place mats, coasters, flooring, coverings, components for the motor vehicle industry, and insulation material, among others.
In this context, we have some notable projects implemented in Portugal, some of which were actually extended to other countries such as Spain, USA, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia.
Recycling initiatives around the world
Green Cork - It is a cork stopper recycling programme developed by Quercus, in partnership with other companies, schools, scouts, local councils, waste collection companies, wineries, winemakers and other entities. The project aims not only to transform used corks into other products but also, through its recycling effort, to fund part of the “Common Forest” programme, which aims to plant native forest trees, including cork oaks.
Cork Stopper Recycling Bin - São Brás de Alportel Council, in Algarve, launched an original initiative among its residents, at the start of 2005: it challenged them to dispose of used corks in the cork stopper recycling bin. This bin was specifically designed and prepared for this purpose, and several were strategically spread throughout the municipality beside the usual recycling bins. Even before the creation of the Cork recycling bins, this local council had already implemented the fortnightly collection of cork stoppers from around fifteen restaurants of the region. An initiative aimed at the recovery and recycling of cork stoppers from bottles or demijohns to manufacture a variety of products. The new objects can put on sale, thus helping to raise awareness of the importance of ecological issues in the protection of the environment.
Ecocentro Móvel - (Mobile Ecopoint) – In 2021, the mobile ecopoint was launched to be placed in several municipalities of Porto Metropolitan Area. The goal of the project is to collect leftover or residues of all kind which can be recycled such as cork stoppers. This ecopoint travels through different localities on different days, and residents can reach their municipality in order to get informed about the schedule with dates and places where the materials are collected.
Cork Stopper Recycling Bin - São Brás de Alportel Council, in Algarve, launched an original initiative among its residents, at the start of 2005: it challenged them to dispose of used corks in the cork stopper recycling bin. This bin was specifically designed and prepared for this purpose, and several were strategically spread throughout the municipality beside the usual recycling bins. Even before the creation of the Cork recycling bins, this local council had already implemented the fortnightly collection of cork stoppers from around fifteen restaurants of the region. An initiative aimed at the recovery and recycling of cork stoppers from bottles or demijohns to manufacture a variety of products. The new objects can put on sale, thus helping to raise awareness of the importance of ecological issues in the protection of the environment.
Ecocentro Móvel - (Mobile Ecopoint) – In 2021, the mobile ecopoint was launched to be placed in several municipalities of Porto Metropolitan Area. The goal of the project is to collect leftover or residues of all kind which can be recycled such as cork stoppers. This ecopoint travels through different localities on different days, and residents can reach their municipality in order to get informed about the schedule with dates and places where the materials are collected.
Corazón de Corcho - It is an initiative by the Associación Vertidos Cero (Zero Waste Association) and designer Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada that aims to value discarded corks as resources to be reintegrated into the production chain, constituting an example of a circular economy.
RECORCHU - The “RECORCHU” project was created with the aim of collecting cider corks from cider mills and transforming them into other objects; raising awareness of the benefits of collecting them and evaluating their potential uses in collaboration with the DOP Sidra de Asturias, Cetemas and the Asociación Vertidos Cero.
Recycled Cork - This initiative is the result of a project presented by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in a competition between universities for very energy-efficient houses with almost zero consumption, in which students collected cork stoppers to produce granulate for efficient insulation. winning the award wanted to continue the concept and are currently placing restaurants, wedding halls, wineries, cideries, taverns, city councils, companies in general, to work together as collection and recycling centers for cork stoppers that are then reused for insulation solutions and soles forfootwear, for example.
RECORCHU - The “RECORCHU” project was created with the aim of collecting cider corks from cider mills and transforming them into other objects; raising awareness of the benefits of collecting them and evaluating their potential uses in collaboration with the DOP Sidra de Asturias, Cetemas and the Asociación Vertidos Cero.
Recycled Cork - This initiative is the result of a project presented by the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) in a competition between universities for very energy-efficient houses with almost zero consumption, in which students collected cork stoppers to produce granulate for efficient insulation. winning the award wanted to continue the concept and are currently placing restaurants, wedding halls, wineries, cideries, taverns, city councils, companies in general, to work together as collection and recycling centers for cork stoppers that are then reused for insulation solutions and soles forfootwear, for example.
Recyclage - The French Federation of Cork Professionals set up a scheme for the collection of cork stoppers in several French towns. The collected stoppers are sold to companies of the sector to be reused for other products and the funds from the sales are channelled to humanitarian causes or handed over to Institut Méditerranéen du Liège for the planting of new cork oaks.
Recorked UK - It’s a UK wine cork recycling program with several partners like, bars, hotels, restaurants, wine merchants, that for every cork collected donate a % of their profit to charities. They also supply free corks to various charities and schools for use in craft projects.
Etico - The Etico projec aims to collect and recycle cork stoppers in various cities of the country, in partnership with a number of associations linked to various causes. The sums collected from the sale of these stoppers are given to the association for use in the development of its activity.
La filiera sostenibile dei tappi in sughero -Representatives from the private sector, the third sector and the public sector signed a protocol for a model of virtuous cooperation for environmental and social purposes. The project aims to minimize the waste of cork stoppers that end up in the trash, treating and valuing this resource in the area, promoting the employment of prisoners within the Treviso prison, and activating a social sustainability network thanks to inclusive and participatory activity of citizens and voluntary associations.
With the objective of maximizing the recycling chain and reducing the environmental impact of this waste, but also increasing the social value of the initiative, it offers:
La filiera sostenibile dei tappi in sughero -Representatives from the private sector, the third sector and the public sector signed a protocol for a model of virtuous cooperation for environmental and social purposes. The project aims to minimize the waste of cork stoppers that end up in the trash, treating and valuing this resource in the area, promoting the employment of prisoners within the Treviso prison, and activating a social sustainability network thanks to inclusive and participatory activity of citizens and voluntary associations.
With the objective of maximizing the recycling chain and reducing the environmental impact of this waste, but also increasing the social value of the initiative, it offers:
- greater employment opportunities for prisoners with guaranteed continuity
- economic support for non-profit organizations to develop their activities in the social sector
- greater awareness of non-profit organizations and their activities, thanks, for example, to the dissemination of the social message in schools
- awareness of the importance of safeguarding the planet's resources (cork) and the culture of the circular economy.
ReCork - It is a collection and recycling scheme for cork stoppers in the USA and Canada. The goal is to recycle cork stoppers and educate and inform the public about the critical role of cork oak forests in the fight against climate change and protection of the ecosystem. ReCORK has already collected millions of used corks. SOLE uses the recycled cork stoppers to develop products using this raw material instead of plastic. The stoppers are collected in retailers and restaurants throughout North America.
ReCork recycling program - Natural corks can be dropped off for recycling in Australia.Collection units are located at participating Dan Murphy’s stores in the ACT, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. Natural corks from wine and sparkling wine bottles can be recycled. Synthetic/plastic corks are currently not accepted. Corks that are recycled through the program will be processed in Australia and turned into new products. The corks will be sent to Save Our Soles to be turned into products such as anti-fatigue mats used in retail stores and restaurants.
KorKampagne - NABU, a German environmental association, runs a cork stopper recycling project that began in 1994. Anyone who collects corks for NABU's Korkampagne is doing something good for:
- Environmental protection, because the valuable cork is saved from being destroyed as waste and used as insulation granulate for ecological house building,
- Nature conservation, through financial support and educational work - especially in schools
- Disadvantaged people and long-term unemployed, by creating jobs in cork processing.
ReCycork - The collection and recycling of cork stoppers began 15 years ago in Belgium, and under the responsibility of the Petit Liège association. Other associations followed its example and recycling appeared in several cities. In 2011, Petit Liège closed and the social company De Vlaspit decided to continue the project, bringing more professionalism to the idea. The recycled product is sold under the name “Recycork” and more than 900 stopper collection points can be found all over the country.