Cork Material: So What Is Cork, Anyway?

So What IS Cork, Anyway?  

There’s So Much More to this Sustainable Material than Popping Corks. 

Outside of a wine bottle or a crossword puzzle clue, when is the last time you spent any time thinking about Cork? At Trashy Goods, we think about this incredibly multi-purpose and sustainable material a LOT. It’s why our Smart Susan has been made from quality Cork, which we love not only for its recyclable and anti-pollution properties, but also because of its eco-friendly flexibility, and, of course, for its natural beauty. Cork: It’s not just for champagne bottles anymore… 

What is Cork made out of? 

All-natural Cork is the outer layer of the quercus suber, AKA the Cork oak tree (and coolest tree name, ever.) Cork harvesting is a process is called “uncorking”, in which Cork is produced by carefully removing the tree’s outer bark to create cork slabs and cork planks, which become the building blocks for more refined Cork products. Post harvest, the cork oak regenerates, producing a new layer of bark, which it continues to do until the next harvest, (in about 9 years) allowing Cork forests to remain viable for centuries. 

Where Do Cork Trees Grow?

Cork oak trees grow in Mediterranean climates, thanks to their warm and dry summers and mild, wet winters. Home to over a third of the world’s Cork forests, Portugal leads the pack in Cork production, (followed by Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, France, and Italy.) In fact, Cork oaks are so integral to Portugal’s culture and history that not only are they the country’s national tree, but it is actually illegal to cut the trees down — so cork is harvested with a hands-only method that is little changed from the same technique Greeks and Romans used thousands of years ago. 

How Long Does Cork Last?  

Cork forests survive for centuries, and natural Cork products can have a life span in excess of 50 years. Longevity is one of the reasons why we use it for our Smart Susan. We like to think we are creating the new keepsake, and Smart Susan will look just as good in a decade or two from now as it does if you bought it today. (No Botox necessary.) Keeping and caring for a beautiful home item goes beyond its durability and usefulness; it minimizes its need to be replaced, and when its long life does come to an end, Cork can be recycled, therefore not adding to the trash heap and reducing its environmental impact. 

Question: What Is Cork Used For? Answer: Kinda Everything. 

From flooring to fashion, wine bottle stoppers to bulletin boards, home insulation to housewares, Cork’s versatility knows no bounds.  

Bottle Stoppers 

Cork is best known for its role in sealing wine bottles. Its flexible properties allow it to regain its shape even after being compressed - which makes it superb for wine stoppers, and a more sustainable option to screw caps and plastic stoppers. The bouncy honeycomb cell structure of Cork makes it perfect to create an airtight seal for glass bottles, creating that all-important (and delightful) popping sound when opening a fresh bottle of bubbly. 

Clothing, Shoes, and Fashion Accessories 

The clothing industry releases 10% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions annually, making it the world’s third-largest polluter, with more than half of discarded, unsold, and used clothing ending up in landfills. As environmental education and consciousness grows, so does the desire for sustainable fashion and design, and Cork is an ideal green material for for clothing and as a vegan alternative to traditional leathers - its flexibility, light weight, and durability making it the perfect material for bags, fabric, and shoes. 

Musical Instruments 

“Golden Cork”, the finest quality of Cork, (no low quality Cork, here!) is specifically produced for the manufacture and repair of musical instruments and their cork pads, valves, and sheets. And don’t forget Cork grease (because who could forget Cork grease?) — an important lubricant for woodwind and reed instruments.  

Floor Tiles 

Cork floor tiles have long been loved for their durability, softness, and warm patina. Mid-century modern architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, famously used them in his designs because of their myriad of positive attributes: shock-absorbent, sound-dampening, energy cost-mitigating - not to mention their ability to maintain an optimal floor temperature all year round. 

Housewares 

Our favorite topic. In our humble opinion, Cork is pretty perfect for home goods. An easy-to-clean, non-toxic, and waterproof material that is also a rapidly renewable resource? Durable as all get out? And pretty as can be? Yes, please. And whether it’s used in flooring, walls, tabletop, or furniture — Cork looks great in combination with other materials, making it a designer and homeowner crowd-pleaser. 

Technology 

The list of Earth-bound reasons to love cork is long, but flame-retardant Cork is used in many heat-related applications that surpass the atmosphere. Due to its high friction coefficient and light weight, the aerospace industry has been using Cork as thermal protection since the 1960s, and will be included in NASA’s launches for years to come. Who knew? 

The Characteristics of Cork: So Many Reasons to Love This Versatile Material 

Lightness 

Cork's honeycomb-like structure means air comprises 50% of its volume. Its low density allows it to float, making it ideal for fishing nets, buoys, and personal floatation devices. 

Flexibility 

Cork’s flexible properties allow it to regain its shape even after being compressed - superb for wine corks. Its bouncy membranes also come in handy when protecting items like laptops, or when manufacturing products needing flexibility, like shoes. 

 Impermeability 

Not to get all scientist-y about it, but the reason Cork is nearly impermeable to liquids and gases is that its cellular structure contain suberin, which acts as a physical barrier to water loss, and ceroids, protective, wax-like substances — meaning Cork products don’t absorb odors or water, making them a healthier (and sweeter smelling) material for your home. 

Insulation 

With relatively low thermal conductivity, Cork is a natural insulator and can withstand high temperatures, which is why it is the material of choice on space shuttles, or, you know, under a fresh-out-of-the-oven lasagna (just as important to science.) Because Cork is a great insulating material, it also protects Cork oaks from forest fires that can be common during hot Mediterranean summers…yet another way to protect our natural resources! 

Decay Resistant 

Cork is naturally resistant to algal and fungal growth, adding to its longevity. Side benefit? It also does not absorb dust, so it’s also hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. These qualities mean Smart Susan ages like a champ.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break] 

The Benefits of Using Cork Are Many and Marvelous

Recyclable 

As a natural, biodegradable, and renewable material, Cork is 100% recyclable, which is one of the many reasons we love it so much. When it’s time to bid adieu to Cork products, they can begin a new life as one of a gamut of goods: flooring, insulation, footwear — therefore reducing waste and closing the loop on Cork’s sustainable journey.  

 Eco-friendly 

We’re big on sustainability around here, which is why we adore Cork’s self-regenerative, carbon-sequestering, and climate-regulating properties. Cork plays a crucial role in the world’s ecological balance as a 100% renewable resource, as opposed to materials like plastic, which are derived from fossil fuels and have significant environmental impact. Cork forests also act like natural watersheds and regulate water quality, preventing desertification of dry areas like those on the Mediterranean rim.  

 Anti-Pollution 

Did you know that Cork forests fight pollution? (It’s true.) It’s because of their ability to store a great deal of carbon. Studies have shown that there is more carbon stored in a single natural cork than is emitted to the atmosphere by producing it. (Sort of like that idea that eating celery burns more calories than the celery itself.) Harvesting Cork boosts the cork oak’s carbon consumption by up to 5 times — protecting against the greenhouse effect. 

Great Alternative to Leather 

Cork “leather” has become increasingly popular as a sustainable vegan option to animal hides. Lightweight, durable, and flexible, cork leather is ideal for bags, shoes, and other sustainable fashion accessories.  

Protection for Endangered Animals 

Cork forests are biodiversity hotspots, creating safe and plentiful habitats to many endangered species, including the Iberian lynx and Imperial eagle, as well as a huge range of insects, birds, and other small animals. The preservation of these forests helps to maintain ecological balance. How cool is that? 

In Conclusion…Trashy Goods Loves Cork for All the Reasons. 

Completely natural, renewable, and recyclable, Cork is not only a chameleon material, it also puts the environment first. At Trashy Goods, we love it for its beauty, its practicality, and its contribution to our planet. Sustainability that’s good lookin’…just like our Smart Susan. We’ll pop a Cork to that.