Cork’s Story: From Bark to Wine Stopper to Shoes — the Story of Cork

Each time you buy wine in a sealed container, it is sealed with a natural cork stopperBy doing so, you are helping to preserve one of the most biodiverse forest systems in the world as well as an amazing ecosystem.

Using more cork, even though it may seem counterintuitive at first glance, is the best way to ensure there is enough cork. This is because cork oak forests are more economically viable if there is a greater demand.

The Mediterranean Basin’s 6.6 million acres worth of cork oak forests is not only a sanctuary for endangered species, but they also help to reduce greenhouse gases. Even though it seems small, each cork stopper provides a carbon offset equivalent to 113.5 grams. The Mediterranean cork oaks, which cover 6.6 million acres, capture around 14.4 millions metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Cork oak forests are a great carbon offset. But cork stoppers are also 100 percent natural and can be recycled.

“We have recycled more than 47 million cork stoppers and have planted more than 8,000 cork oaks,”Matt Hughes is ReCORK’s brand manager. ReCORK is North America’s largest cork recycling program. “Our recycled corks are used to replace petroleum-based materials in consumer products and to extend the useful life of wine corks.”

Cork oaks are not cut down or harmed during harvesting, contrary to popular belief. The bark is carefully and safely removed by highly skilled professionals using axes. Every cork oak produces an average of 90-130 pounds of bark. Each tree can yield enough cork to supply 4,000 to 6,00 stoppers.

Cork’s unique characteristics make it an extremely versatile material. Cork is made up of microscopic cells in a honeycomb. It is light and easy to compress, yet strong and impermeable. Cork is ideal for wine preservation. The cork allows wine to age well by allowing oxygen to interact. No artificial stopper can replicate the legendary wine experience. “pop”When the cork has been removed.

Stella McCartney, SOLE and other shoemakers have used cork to create signature shoes in recent years.

Mike Baker, founder of SOLE and CEO: “The transformation of used wine corks into durable and attractive footwear is an elegant way to extend the lifecycle of this remarkable material while providing consumers with a terrific new product that literally lightens their carbon footprint.”