Stuck with corks, post-party? Recycle them at bin 41

| Environment | West Seattle news

Here’s an option for dealing with all those corks left over from your holiday party: As bin 41 (WSB sponsor) wine-shop proprietor T. Frick McNamara puts it, “We’re on a roll for recycling corks!” Since starting their program this summer, they’ve recycled 500 pounds – a quarter-ton! – of corks. She explains, “Often folks put these either in garbage or the garden compost can, not realizing there are options for reusing this valuable renewable material. We’re teamed up with ReCORK of Amorim in California. They work with a company called Sole, who by spring of 2011 have vowed to use all recycled cork material instead of virgin cork to make the soles of their shoes. ReCORK is also working with a company in Portugal to replant new cork trees to help end the cork shortage.” You can bring your natural corks (no synthetic) to bin 41 in The Junction any time (maybe during Wednesday’s tasting?) and put them in the recycling box (shown above). Questions? bin41@me.com. (Also check out the store’s holiday hours in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Shopping/Business Guide – now with a new feature enabling you to share/e-mail individual deals from the page.)

I. Ponder December 6, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Did you know you can plant a cork tree in your garden here in Seattle? There are several beautiful specimens in Seattle including one at the Locks.

kg December 6, 2010 (1:32 pm)

Is there a way to tell synthetic cork from the natural cork?

I. Ponder December 6, 2010 (4:30 pm)

Yes. To my knowledge, you can’t chip off pieces of synthetic (plastic) cork with your finger. Real cork is porous, stains from red wine, and holds the smell of wine. It has a mottled color. Cork is the bark of the Cork Oak.

casaboba December 6, 2010 (9:01 pm)

Excellent to recycle if cost effective. There is no “cork shortage” in Portugal as referenced in the story quote. This is a misconception peddled by Amorim who has approximately 50% market share of the global cork market and is losing market share to screw cap and synthetic (polymer) closures.

amy December 8, 2010 (8:28 pm)

That is such great news to hear and we will do just that. I’ll just be sure they know they are from our, um holiday parties, when they receive so many from us!