Everything you need to know about recycling corks
Corks includes:
Champagne corks
Wine corks
Sparkling wine corks
Plastic corks
Natural corks
Synthetic corks
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Learn more about recycling corks
How to recycle corks
Corks (both natural and synthetic) should?not?be put in your recycling bin at home or work. They can only be recycled through a commercial recycling service – use the directory on this page to see if there is a recycling service near you.
Currently, there is no large-scale cork recycling or collection of corks in Australia for businesses and workplaces. Some smaller organisations may still collect corks either for reuse or some small local recycle initiatives.
ReCork is a pilot recycling program for natural corks, however, they only accept household quantities.
Natural vs plastic corks
There are two types of corks used in wine and sparkling wine bottles: natural and synthetic (plastic). Neither of these corks can be recycled via your recycling bin at home or work – they should be put in the garbage if you don’t have access to a recycling point near you.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell just by looking at a bottle if the cork inside is natural or synthetic. However, once you open the bottle and remove the cork, it is easier to identify which type of cork has been used. Most synthetic corks look and feel like plastic – they are smooth, slightly hard and sometimes come in non-cork colours. Natural corks, however, are woody and slightly squishy. They will chip away or leave a mark if you scratch at them and the bottom half may be stained by the wine.
Natural corks
Natural corks are made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, which is found in the Mediterranean region. These types of corks can be recycled, but only through a specialised recycling service. Use the directory on this page to see if there is a recycler near you.
Plastic corks
Plastic corks from wine bottles should not be put in household recycling bins. When corks are incorrectly placed in recycling bins, they can get mixed up with other materials and contaminate them, degrading their quality or making them unrecyclable.
We are not aware of a recycling program or service in Australia that accepts plastic corks. Unfortunately, this means plastic corks should be put in your garbage bin.??
Why recycle?
Cork is a unique material as it is renewable, biodegradable and fully recyclable. Recycling cork reduces demand placed on cork plantations and other resources. Recycling cork in Australia, rather than harvesting and importing from overseas, also reduces energy, carbon emissions and costs associated with transport.
Recycled cork can be used to manufacture a range of products such as floor tiles, gaskets, dart boards and inners for hockey and cricket balls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cork?
Cork is naturally occurring and is made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, which is found in the Mediterranean region.
When removed correctly, cork can be harvested without destroying the tree as the bark naturally regenerates after each harvest. The Cork Oak is the only tree that can do this.
Cork is not harvested from Cork Oak trees until they are at least 25 years old and is only harvested every 9-12 years after this, to ensure the trees are not damaged. Cork Oak trees can live up to 200 years.
When managed properly, cork is a sustainable and renewable timber product. As cork is lightweight and impermeable to liquids and gases, cork is commonly used as wine stoppers. Cork is also used in flooring, furniture, and footwear.
Aside from the value Cork Oak trees provide via cork harvesting, the trees also provide important habitat and ecosystem services (including water absorption, soil stability and Carbon storage).
Are corks recyclable?
Cork is technically a recyclable material; however, there is currently no large-scale cork recycling or collection?of corks in Australia for businesses and workplaces. Some smaller organisations?may still collect corks either for reuse or some small local recycle initiatives.
Corks are made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, which means it is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable material. The material is also fully recyclable, which reduces demand placed on cork plantations and other resources. Recycling cork in Australia, rather than harvesting and importing from overseas, also reduces energy, carbon emissions and costs associated with transport.
Recycled cork can be used to manufacture a range of products such as floor tiles, gaskets, dart boards, and inners for hockey and cricket balls.
Are cork placemats recyclable?
Cork is technically a recyclable material; however, we do not know of any organisation in Australia that is currently accepting products made cork for recycling. This includes cork placemats.
If the placemats are in good condition, they may be accepted as a donation by your local charity shop such as Salvos or Vinnies. If the placemats are not in good condition and cannot be reused, unfortunately, they should be placed in your garbage bin.
Are plastic corks recyclable?
No, plastic corks from wine bottles should not be put in recycling bins at home or work. When corks are incorrectly placed in recycling bins, they can get mixed up with other materials and contaminate them, degrading their quality or making them unrecyclable.
Are champagne corks recyclable?
Corks from champagne and sparkling wine bottles are technically recyclable; however, there is currently no large-scale cork recycling or collection?of corks in Australia for businesses and workplaces. Some smaller organisations?may still collect corks either for reuse or some small local recycle initiatives.
What are corks made of?
Natural corks are made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, which are mainly grown in Portugal, northern Africa and the Western Mediterranean. Cork Oak trees provide valuable habitat for a wide variety of birds and wildlife.
The trees must be 25 years old before their first harvest. A further 9 years must pass before another harvest can be made – this helps to ensure that cork is a sustainably harvested resource.
Recycling corks ensures the natural materials used to make them are not wasted by being sent to landfill. The materials are reused when they are recycled into new products, making the most of the resources and decreasing the need to harvest new trees.
