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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.