Corticeira Amorim SGPS S A : Amorim launches the ReCork recycling programme in Australia
November 28, 2023
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As part of its broader commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles, Amorim is reinforcing its cork stopper recycling initiatives around the globe.
In Australia, Amorim recently launched ReCork, in partnership with recycling organisation Save Our Soles, Australian footwear and clothing brand, R.M. Williams, and the Dan Murphy's liquor store chain.
The new campaign runs alongside other cork stopper recycling projects such as Green Cork in Portugal, ReCork in US and Canada, EcoBouchon in France, and Etico in Italy.
Cork's unique properties, coupled with its sustainability credentials has meant that in addition to wine closures it is used in a wide variety of sectors, including fashion, architecture, aerospace, motor vehicles, public spaces and construction.
Recycled cork is not used for wine closures, but can be used in other sectors.
Australia's ReCork campaign allows consumers to return their used wine corks to 52 participating Dan Murphy's stores, which will then be sent to a granulating plant where the corks will be ground into small particles.
The partner of the recycling programme is Save our Soles - a supplier of Australian recycled flooring that is ideal for commercial and domestic applications.
Save Our Soles founder John Elliott has been recycling large scale products in Australia since 2008, when he first collaborated with Nike to recycle trainers and kick off the shoe recycling movement in Australia. He commented: "I am really excited to be working with these great companies to provide a more responsible outcome with our used corks in Australia".
Save Our Soles will repurpose the cork stoppers to produce anti-fatigue, cork-composite foot mats and shoe sole prototypes for R.M. Williams.
R.M.Williams Sustainability and CSR Manager, Carli Davis, commented: "By collecting, granulating, and processing corks into a cork filler onshore, we are developing a solution that can lower our carbon footprint, upcycle existing materials, and support innovation and employment within Australia."
The project is supported by the South Australian government through Green Industries SA's Circular Economy Market Development grant programme.
Corticeira Amorim SGPS SA published this content on 29 November 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 December 2023 11:13:46 UTC.
Tracing its roots back to the 19th century, Corticeira Amorim, SGPS, S.A. has become the world's largest cork and cork-derived company in the world, generating more than EUR 985.5 million in sales to more than 100 countries through a network of dozens of fully owned subsidiaries. With a multi-million Euro R&D investment per year, Corticeira Amorim, SGPS, S.A. has applied its specialist knowledge to this centuries-old traditional culture, developing a vast portfolio of products, solutions and materials that are used by blue-chip clients in industries as diverse and demanding as wines & spirits, aerospace, automotive, construction, sports, architecture and design.
Net sales by business unit break down between Cork Stoppers (75.9%), Composite Cork (12%), Floor and Wall Coverings (9.1), Insulation Cork (1.6%) and Raw Materials (1.4%).
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Portugal 6.8%), EU excluding Portugal (61.8%), Other European countries (2%), the United States (16.4%), America excluding the United States (6.5%), Australasia (5.1%) and Africa (1.4%).
Corticeira Amorim, SGPS, S.A.'s responsible approach to raw materials and sustainable production illustrates the remarkable interdependence between industry and a vital ecosystem - one of the world's most balanced examples of social, economic and environmental development.