New Seasons Market announces a new partnership with Cork ReHarvest, Willamette Valley Vineyards and Bacchus Fine Wines that enables customers to recycle their corks at all of our nine stores.
Starting June 14, customers can now bring their corks to any New Seasons Market and simply drop them in a cloth bag hanging in the beer and wine department of each store.
“I discovered years ago that corks really shouldn’t be placed in your compost bin–they never really break down,” said Toni Ketrenos, New Seasons Market Beer and Wine Buyer. “Helping divert them from the waste stream and into a product that’s regularly used in our industry makes so much sense. Every little bit helps.”
What happens after you drop your corks in the bag?
Cork ReHarvest works with our wine distributor, Bacchus, to collect corks during their regular store stops. The corks are then taken to Western Pulp, which is located near Bacchus’ winery partner, Willamette Valley Vineyards. These corks are then mixed with end-of-use newspaper to create wine shippers for wineries, used by Willamette Valley Vineyards.
This partnership is significant because it creates a closed-loop recycling system, in which the waste or byproduct of one process or product is used to make another product.
“We’re really excited to offer this opportunity for our customers to create a local partnership,” says Heather Schmidt, New Seasons Market Sustainability Manager. “It results in no addition to the carbon footprint of distribution and collection, while also reducing waste and creating a sustainable packaging material.”
Cork ReHarvest is the leading national recycling organization focused on recycling natural cork and educating the public about the vital importance that the Mediterranean cork forests have to the world’s ecological balance. Cork ReHarvest partners with businesses, communities and governments to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices.
“We are honored to have New Seasons as a collection partner, as they have consistently shown their commitment to sustainable practices, environmental causes and community relationships,” said Patrick Spencer, director of Cork ReHarvest. “We must all work together to ensure the products we purchase come from renewable, recyclable and biodegradable sources.”
