The festivities are over and the corks have been well and truly popped – now what to do with them?
Cork is compostable because it’s made from plant-based material from the bark of the cork oak tree. It grows back without harming the tree.
It can be used as a carbon-rich input in compost, but not if the cork has been used as a stopper for chemicals. Check it’s real cork not plastic made to look like cork. Cut it open to check.
• Break or chop it up to compost quicker. You can also rub it on a grater to crumble the cork (this can be quite time-consuming).
• A cork that’s added whole may not break down completely so pick it out and put it back through the composter.
• Remove plastic or foil or wax coverings.
• You can also send corks to recorkeduk – a cork recycling scheme.
• Make gardening ‘eye protectors’ by making a hole in the cork and putting them on top of garden canes.
• Use corks to suppress weeds and hold in moisture around potted trees.