The recycling and reuse of the raw material - cork - is one of Corticeira Amorim's responses to market challenges and stakeholder requirements, thereby reducing its environmental footprint, applying circular models and fostering the development of innovative solutions that add value to the raw material.
Good management and recovery of waste, with a view to prolonging its use in the economy, is important for Corticeira Amorim and is integrated into its circular economy practices. The recycling processes implemented have made it possible to increase reuse of the raw material, prolonging cork’s life cycle and its environmental benefits, in particular its CO2 retention capacity.
Although recycled cork can never be used again to make cork stoppers, it can have a second life, used in floor and wall coverings, insulation, memo boards, high competition kayaks, badminton rackets, tennis and cricket balls, car and aircraft components, design parts and fashion and a multitude of other purposes. As a result, Corticeira Amorim fosters several recycling projects, which have a social character and also foster education and environmental awareness for all stakeholders and the community in general.
Implemented since 2008, Green Cork is a project developed by Quercus, in partnership with Corticeira Amorim and several other partners, to collect cork stoppers for recycling. Its main objectives are to collect cork stoppers and finance the planting of autochthonous trees, through the Common Forest programme.
Created in 2009 by Amorim Cork France, this project aims to strengthen relations with customers - combining environmental protection with various charity institutions. Today it is the world's largest contributor to the recycling of cork stoppers.
Since 2011, ETICO involves associations and institutions, and mobilises around one thousand volunteers and manages more than five thousand collection points throughout Italy. For each ton of cork stoppers collected, Amorim Cork Italia makes a donation to institutions, thereby financing social solidarity projects, while favouring circular economy principles, by giving recycled cork a new lease of life.
A partnership between Amorim Cork Flooring and NH Hotel Group to promote a more sustainable world. The first phase began in 2011, when 68 cork stopper collection bins were delivered to hotels in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The second phase began in 2019, with the placement of 74 collection bins in hotels in Spain and Italy.
Launched in 2013 in South Africa, the initiative aims to collect used or surplus cork stoppers and give them a new life, while also creating jobs.
Trata-se do maior programa de reciclagem de rolhas de cortiça da América do Norte adotado, em 2008, pela empresa canadiana de calçados SOLE. O projeto prevê que as rolhas recolhidas através da rede de mais de três mil parceiros sejam encaminhadas para unidades responsáveis pela sua transformação e incorporadas posteriormente na produção de solas de sapatos da SOLE.