Friarwood's Wine Cork Recyling Scheme with Recorked

Natural Cork Recycling in London

At Friarwood, we're passionate about sustainability and doing our part for the environment. That's why we've teamed up with Recorked, the UK's leading natural cork recycling partner, to offer cork recycling at our London shops. Simply drop off your used natural corks in-store, and we'll ensure they're responsibly recycled into exciting new products, such as yoga mats, footwear, and even stylish home accessories.

Why Can't You Recycle Cork at Home?

You might wonder why natural cork can't just go into your regular recycling bin at home. Unfortunately, UK councils don't accept cork for recycling as it's not processed by standard recycling plants. This means that throwing corks in your recycling bin will ultimately send them to landfill, defeating the purpose of recycling.

Can Cork Go into Food Waste Bins?

No, cork shouldn't be placed into food waste bins either. Cork is a natural material, but it's extremely slow to biodegrade and won't break down efficiently in standard composting or anaerobic digestion facilities. This can cause contamination issues and disrupt the recycling processes used for organic waste.

How Can You Help?

Bring your used natural corks to any Friarwood London shop. Together with Recorked, we'll ensure they're transformed into unique, sustainable products. It's an easy, impactful way to reduce waste and contribute to a healthier planet.

FAQs

What happens to corks collected by Friarwood?
We pass them on to Recorked, where they're recycled. Cork can be reused to make innovative products like yoga mats, shoe soles, and eco-friendly home décor.

Can I recycle synthetic corks or screw caps with Friarwood?
Currently, we only accept natural corks. We're exploring ways to recycle synthetic corks, screw caps and capsules so we can do even more to help the planet. Synthetic corks and metal screw caps should be disposed of according to local council guidelines.

Is there a cost involved in recycling corks at Friarwood?
No, recycling your natural corks with Friarwood is completely free—just drop them off next time you visit!

How do I know if my cork is natural or synthetic?
Natural corks have a spongy, woody texture and often show visible pores or irregular patterns. Synthetic corks are smoother, made of plastic or rubber, and typically uniform in appearance. Friarwood will also be gradually adding details to our product pages specifying the type of closure used for each wine, making it easier for you to identify and recycle your corks appropriately.