Cork Collective
Public Work
Cork Collective is a non-profit organization fueled by the expertise and passion of its founding partners: Rockwell Group, Amorim, Bluewell, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. It also highlights the interconnectivity between design and hospitality. A celebration of cork’s power as a 100% reusable, yet underestimated natural material, Cork Collective and its partners are dedicated to repurposing wine corks into innovative, eco-friendly products that benefit communities and promote a greener future.
- Project Category
- Public Work
Every year, 2.9 billion cork stoppers are discarded in the US; less than 1% are recycled. Cork Collective envisions a “closed loop” system where natural cork is reused and regenerated to minimize waste and promote sustainability. Bottle stoppers are being recycled and used for playground projects, while bringing new added benefits with it; cork can sequester significant amounts of CO2 for decades.
The collective’s New York City Collection Program made its debut in Summer 2024 with over 50 local restaurants, hospitality venues, and wine stores coming together. Custom collection bins can be found at participating restaurants in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with electric eQuad vehicles being used for pick up and delivery to minimize carbon emissions.
By partnering with the New York Community Housing Authority (NYCHA), the recycled cork will be used for neighborhood playground surfaces, benefiting local families and communities. The first project will break ground in Summer 2025. Cork Collective also unveiled an immersive, experiential installation, Casa Cork [link to Casa Cork page] during Milan Design Week 2025, showcasing the beauty and sustainability of cork in its full glory.
Our goal is to expand the collection and upcycling program both nationwide and globally, while simultaneously raising the profile of this oft-overlooked material. Cork Collective is currently launching a wider collection program and expanding to wineries in California and Oregon.
