The CorCo project
CorCo is dedicated to the organised collection and professional recycling of cork stoppers. Its aim is to achieve the circular use of cork material, reducing the environmental impact and localising a fantastically versatile material that has so far ended up as waste in Hungary after its long journey from Portugal.
CorCo’s aesthetic and playful collecting unit is placed at our partner (primarily bars, restaurants) where the collecting takes place. Then the collected cork stoppers can be transported also by bicycle to our workshop in the 10th district of Budapest. We are always looking for more partners to join our programme.
CorCo (‘CorkCollector’) is dedicated to the organised collection and professional recycling of cork stoppers. Its aim is to achieve the circular use of cork material, reducing the environmental impact and localising a fantastically versatile material that has so far ended up as waste in Hungary after its long journey from Portugal.
CorCo’s aesthetic and playful collecting unit is placed at our partner (primarily bars, restaurants) where the collecting takes place. Then the collected cork stoppers can be transported also by bicycle to our workshop in the 10th district of Budapest. In addition to restaurants & bars, influencers, event organisers and of course individuals have already joined our initiative – get to know them:
Tati farm to table | Twentysix° | Vinum Voyage | Nati a boroslány
Collecting is only the first step, as we will produce a new recycled material from the cork stoppers (that had been discarded so far). Preserving the features and the quality of the cork material we will be able to use it in many fields: designing furniture, sports equipment, or applying it in acoustic design (to name just a few examples). Our ultimate goal is to make circularity come true: the new, handy objects (like wine coolers, coasters, acoustic panels, etc.) made from recycled cork material are in everyday use in the bars & restaurants alongside the CorCo collecting units that keep collecting corks stoppers to help creating the recycled material. This system might inspire guests to make environmentally responsible choices in general and to see the potential in cork stoppers and their collecting specifically.
How does it work?
Our cork collecting unit is delivered to your restaurant. This is a wooden, wall-mounted, easy-to-use, easy-to-empty storage that highlights the wine & champagne cork stoppers. CorCo unit communicates its function to the guests so they can throw in their cork closures in a playful way. The current storage has 20l capacity (suitable for approx. 700 cork stoppers – 3.2 kg of cork material), with an estimate of 50 corks per week we predict a quarterly emptying (due to the lightweight of cork, delivery by bicycle is a good & green option).
Why cork?
Cork is the only wood that does not require cutting down the plant itself. Cork is harvested by skilfully removing the outer bark of the cork oak tree, which is not only harmless to the oak, but also extends its life. The cork oak is native to Portugal and is primarily introduced to Hungary in the form of cork closures for wine production and consumption. These corks end up in the rubbish bin after the wine is consumed: 35-40 million cork stoppers per year from Hungarian and imported wines, representing 200 tonnes of cork material. Some of these stoppers are collected in small quantities as a hobby or decoration by some wine lovers and restaurants, but currently there is no organised collection, nor processing, nor recycling of the material. But let us change the game. Our enthusiasm is fueled not only by the natural beauty and sustainability of the material (unlimited recyclability), but also by its unrivalled functional assets: vibration damping, thermal and acoustic insulation, low weight, wear resistance, non-flammability, moisture-resistance.