NAPA, Calif. — ReCORK America, the US recycling operation for Amorim Irmãos of Portugal, the world’s leading producer of natural cork wine closures, announced it is partnering with Green Lifespace, a Savannah, Georgia, green consulting firm. The partnership will provide a recycling collection point for natural cork wine closures in the Savannah area.

“While our recycling program is currently focused on the Pacific Northwest, we are actively reaching out to other places in the country that have expressed interest in cork recycling and are willing to try the concept in their marketplace,” says Roger Archey, program manager for ReCORK.

ReCORK America obtains donated wine corks from restaurants, wine bars, wine retailers, hotels and resorts, winery operations and consumers at large. Since its inception 18 months ago, ReCORK has collected over 3 million corks. “We are still experimenting on the final use for the corks,” says Archey.

“Our goal is to keep corks out of landfill and return them to use in new ways. In the Napa Valley we are testing the use of cork granules mixed with compost as a soil amendment for vineyard use; and we will be testing the use of cork granules to replace sand and wood chips in school play yards later this year. We are also working with a well-known packaging company on the integration of cork granules in wine shipping containers; and some of the corks will be returned to Portugal, where they will be made into high quality flooring material, fishing rod handles, shoes and other cork products.”

“We are ‘soft launching’ our presence in the Savannah area at Greenfest08,” says Archey. “Greenfest08 is a perfect venue for folks to drop off their wine corks while they enjoy eco-friendly exhibits and activities.”

Maria Fernanda Castro, Greenfest08 organizer and a founder of Green Lifespace, says ReCORK is a great addition to the area’s green consciousness. “The potential is huge! The greater metropolitan Savannah area has a wealth of restaurants, wine bars and hospitality venues that generate tens of thousands of natural wine corks every year. To now be able to reuse this valuable resource is our goal. When you stop to think that natural cork is biodegradable, sustainable, has CO2 retention qualities, and is environmentally friendly, the decision to recycle is simple.”

Savannah area residents will be able to drop off their cork donations at Greenfest08 on Saturday, September 13, at 88 Randolph Street, or on a full-time basis at Green Lifespace’s offices at 324 Prince Street, Savannah.

For more information about Greenfest08 and Green Lifespace, go to  www.greenlifespace.com.

For information about ReCORK America, go to www.recorkamerica.com. ReCORK America is a joint effort of Portocork America and Amorim Cork America.

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Roger Archey

ReCORK America