As a natural material, cork is 100% recyclable. And yet, this small object very often ends up in the dustbin. So how can cork closures be given a new lease of life? Quite simply by depositing cork closures in the right places. This is not only environmentally-friendly, it also allows new products to be created.
Giving cork closures a second lease of life
To recycle cork, it is important to understand the purpose of doing so and to know where to throw away the closures so that they get a second lease of life.
Why recycle cork closures ?
We have now grown accustomed to sorting our waste, separating paper and glass containers. So why not recycle the cork closures on bottles of wine and Champagne ?
Cork is a biodegradable material which can easily be recycled. Instead of ending up as non-recovered waste, it can be used to produce other materials or objects.
Recycling cork is environmentally-friendly and part of an ethical consumer approach.
It is there important to do the right thing and properly sort our waste by throwing out cork closures in the right place.
Where should cork closures be thrown out ?
The French cork trade federation (FFSL) has made a strong commitment to cork recycling and on its Planète Liège website lists the collection points in many towns.
A full-fledged national cork recycling industry has been set up to utilize this natural material.
When you deposit your cork closures at a collection point, it is important to ensure that the metal parts sometimes used with them on bottles of cider or Champagne, for example, are removed.
What is recycled cork used for ?
Recycled cork cannot be used to produce more cork closures.
TBut, after undergoing a multiple-stage process including a grinding phase, it can be used as a raw material for many other uses, such as:
- Producing cork granules designed for insulating buildings ;
- Producing floor tiles ;
- Creating cork pin boards ;
- Making shoe soles ;
- Building thermal insulators used in the aviation and aerospace industries ;
- Creating decorative items.
Recycling cork is therefore simple to achieve and environmentally sustainable. To facilitate recycling of cork closures, the FFL (French Cork Federation) has set up and listed numerous collection points. Once processed, cork closures can enjoy a second lease of life, either as insulation materials or fashion accessories.