Wine Group Partners with Cork Recycling Program

ReCORK by Amorim, a wine cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim of Portugal and SOLE of Canada, has announced that the Walla Walla (Wash.) Valley Wine Alliance Board (WWVWA) has selected ReCORK to collect and recycle used and surplus natural cork wine closures from its members.

“When you consider there are 13 billion natural corks sold into the world market each year, most of which find their way into already overcrowded landfills, it just makes sense to find new uses for this, until recently, under-appreciated resource,” says Elizabeth Martin-Calder, executive director of the WWVWA. “As a grower and winery trade association, with a commitment towards sustainable farming and winery operations, it feels appropriate for us to take the lead in promoting this kind of initiative through our members.”

Amorim’s ReCORK and SOLE use the old wine corks for a line of cork-blended footwear products and packaging materials. The products are expected to be released by the first quarter of 2010.