Recycling Cork: A new beginning
Cork stoppers are biodegradable and absorb CO₂, but their life doesn't end when you open a bottle.
Recycling cork stoppers and reusing materials extends the life cycle of the cork stopper, contributing to a better world through sustainable practices.
As the world's largest cork producer, Amorim has played a pioneering role in cork recycling programs. The group first launched a cork stopper recycling programme in Portugal in 2008 - Green Cork - and similar initiatives were quickly adopted in other countries, such as the United States and Canada (ReCork and The Cork Collective), France (EcoBouchon), Italy (Etico), Spain (Cork2Cork), South Africa (Amorim Cork Life) and Australia (ReCork).
At Amorim's cork recycling plant, used cork stoppers are treated and transformed into cork granules, opening up a new cycle. Although it can never again be used as a raw material for other cork stoppers, recycled cork can be used in multiple applications, from coverings to insulation, sports surfaces, tennis balls, shoes and aircraft components.
Reusing by-products of the industrial process, so that nothing is lost and everything is transformed, is another Amorim practice.
Only 30% of cork fulfils the quality requirements needed to produce natural cork stoppers, but the rest is not lost. Grinded and transformed into granules, the cork goes back into the production process to produce technical stoppers, expanded cork or composites. Production waste is converted into biomass – cork powder – which covers more than 68 per cent of the group's energy needs. From planks to cork powder, a perfect circular economy model becomes a reality in the world of recycling cork.
Our Recycling Programmes
Green Cork
Implemented in 2008, Green Cork is a Quercus project, developed in partnership with Corticeira Amorim and several other partners, which collects cork stoppers and finances the planting of native trees through the Common Forest Programme. Through this programme, more than 117 million cork stoppers have already been collected and more than 1,550 trees planted. A true circular economy project that not only extends the life cycle of cork, but also makes a positive contribution to preserving Portugal’s forests.
ReCork US
It’s the largest cork recycling project in the United States and Canada, created in 2008 on the initiative of the footwear company SOLE. The recycled cork stoppers, collected through a network of more than 3,000 partners, are transformed to be applied in the production of shoe soles.
EcoBouchon
Launched in 2009, it is responsible for most of the cork stoppers recycled by Corticeira Amorim – around 300 tonnes of stoppers a year – and has a strong social responsibility component, supporting various charity institutions, like Agir Cancer Gironde.
Etico
Created in 2011, it has around 1,000 volunteers and more than 5,000 collection points. Inspired by this project and Italy's close ties to the world of design and architecture, the SUBER collection was launched in 2019, offering a new range of contemporary furniture and objects made from recycled cork.
Cork2Cork
Based on a partnership with NH Hotels, Cork2Cork started in 2011, with the aim of collecting cork stoppers in hotels located in Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands. To date, more than two tonnes of corks have been recycled and 8,000 m² of flooring produced (the equivalent of about 300 hotel rooms).
Amorim Cork Life
Launched in 2013, among other initiatives, Amorim Cork Life helps to create jobs through the construction of handicrafts and decorative objects, based on recycled cork stoppers, making a real impact not only on the environment, but also on the local community.
ReCork
Launched in 2023, in partnership with Dan Murphy and RM Williams, this programme recycles cork stoppers to produce cork soles for boots. New partnerships are being established and, to date, the programme has already collected 1.4 million cork stoppers, promoting an extended life cycle for this product.
The Cork Collective
Launched in 2024, in New York, with the aim of reducing waste, this project collects used cork stoppers from local businesses, wineries and consumers to be repurposed rather instead of being discarded in landfills. Besides promoting circular economy, this initiative educates people about the importance of cork. Through partnerships and awareness campaigns, the programme not only reinforces environmental impact, but also educational activities and the transition towards zero waste.
Bartop end-of-life
Separate the cork from the capsule, promoting breakage.
Place the capsule in the appropriate recycling container. The cork residue will be less than 8% in weight.
Cork can be placed in the cork recycling container or next to organic waste.