Amorim launches recycling scheme

Published: 23 July, 2008

Amorim Cork America has announced it is to launch a pilot program in Oregon to collect and recycle one ton - or 300,000 - natural wine corks over the next 12 months.

The program, called ReCork America, is headed by Jack Squires, the former general manager of Amorim Cork America who now works for the company in a consulting role.

Collection points will include wineries, wine and spirit retailers, restaurants, grocery stores and other locations where wine is consumed or purchased.

Squires said: "Amorim has taken a leadership role by producing sustainable natural products for many years and the development of this recycling program is a perfect fit with the company's environmental policies."

He added the plan is to start small and grow as the interest in cork recycling in the US builds.

The collected corks will be sorted to remove any alternative closures and stored while a processing partner is selected.

ReCork America is investigating several processing options that include a manufacturer of green building materials and a supplier of cork flooring and insulation.

Amorim has received support from The Oregon Environmental Council, Willamette Valley Vineyards and SOLV, an Oregon-based environmental organisation.

Back in July, Harpers reported Amorim planned to introduce a cork recycling scheme in the UK in 2008.

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