A Reason To Celebrate

You're not alone when you reach for the bubbly or just a regular old bottle of red to celebrate a milestone or simply to rejoice that you've gotten through another day of the daily grind. Well over 10 billion corks end up in a landfill each year. Although cork is natural, reusable and biodegradable, the majority of wine corks are tossed. This is sad considering it takes 25 years before a cork tree is mature enough to be used. Mature corks can be harvested just once a decade thereafter. Fortunately, things are starting to change.

In 2008, Amorin, the world's largest maker of natural corks, launched a project called ReCork America to recycle corks in Northern California. The program has salvaged more than 5 million corks, which have been incorporated into new goods, including shoe soles and flooring.
 
Now, a number of Whole Foods stores in California serve as collection points, and eco-conscious wine shops and restaurants from coast to coast are contributing corks. To find a collection spot nearby, check out ReCork's website. Or, if you've saved a large quantity (15 pounds or more), you can ship them directly to ReCork (pre-paid shipping label provided).