SB Ranch
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2007
- Messages
- 1,930
- Reaction score
- 0
<DIV =stdDate>12.21.2007
<DIV =spaceV8>
<DIV =spaceV8>Amorim wants to collect 300,000 corks in Oregon pilot program
<DIV =spaceV8>by Wines & Vines staff
<DIV =spaceV16>
<DIV =contentDisplayableWidth>
<DIV =newsPictureLeft style="WIDTH: 216px">
Portland, Ore. -- Natural corks may already be the most organic of wine bottle closures, but Amorim Cork America is trying to make its product even greener by launching a pilot program in the state of Oregon to collect and recycle 1 ton of natural wine corks in a year.
The program, called ReCork America, is headed by Jack Squires, the former general manager of Amorim Cork America who now works for the Portuguese-based company in a consulting role. Collection points will ultimately include wineries, wine and spirit retailers, restaurants, grocery stores and other locations where wine is consumed or purchased.
"Amorim has taken a leadership role by producing sustainable natural products for many years, and the development of this recycling program is a perfect fit with the company's environmental policies," Squires said.
"Consumers worldwide are demanding eco-friendly choices and are genuinely concerned about carbon emissions and product reuse. Fortunately for us, we have a product that actually reduces C0<SUB>2</SUB> levels and is 100% recyclable."
Squires said the plan is to start small and grow as the interest in cork recycling in the U.S. builds. "Our goal is to collect 1 ton of natural corks in the first 12 months of the program--that's approximately 300,000 corks," he said.
The collected corks will be sorted to remove any alternative closures and stored while a processing partner is selected. ReCork America is investigating several processing options that include a manufacturer of green building materials, and a supplier of cork flooring and insulation.
The ultimate goal is to select a recycling method that minimizes the output of additional carbon and is environmentally and financially sound.
Amorim has received support from The Oregon Environmental Council, Willamette Valley Vineyards and SOLV, an Oregon-based environmental organization.
<DIV =spaceV8>
<DIV =spaceV8>Amorim wants to collect 300,000 corks in Oregon pilot program
<DIV =spaceV8>by Wines & Vines staff
<DIV =spaceV16>
<DIV =contentDisplayableWidth>
<DIV =newsPictureLeft style="WIDTH: 216px">
The program, called ReCork America, is headed by Jack Squires, the former general manager of Amorim Cork America who now works for the Portuguese-based company in a consulting role. Collection points will ultimately include wineries, wine and spirit retailers, restaurants, grocery stores and other locations where wine is consumed or purchased.
"Amorim has taken a leadership role by producing sustainable natural products for many years, and the development of this recycling program is a perfect fit with the company's environmental policies," Squires said.
"Consumers worldwide are demanding eco-friendly choices and are genuinely concerned about carbon emissions and product reuse. Fortunately for us, we have a product that actually reduces C0<SUB>2</SUB> levels and is 100% recyclable."
Squires said the plan is to start small and grow as the interest in cork recycling in the U.S. builds. "Our goal is to collect 1 ton of natural corks in the first 12 months of the program--that's approximately 300,000 corks," he said.
The collected corks will be sorted to remove any alternative closures and stored while a processing partner is selected. ReCork America is investigating several processing options that include a manufacturer of green building materials, and a supplier of cork flooring and insulation.
The ultimate goal is to select a recycling method that minimizes the output of additional carbon and is environmentally and financially sound.
Amorim has received support from The Oregon Environmental Council, Willamette Valley Vineyards and SOLV, an Oregon-based environmental organization.
