Waitrose will trial cork recycling in seven of its stores from next week, becoming the first major UK supermarket to do so.
Individual collection points will be set up in Waitrose Salisbury, followed by Saltash, Lymington, Bath, Godalming, Truro and Maidenhead once it relaunches in November. Customers will be encouraged to deposit their used natural corks for recycling via Amorim, the largest cork processing group in the world.
Barry Dick, MW and Beer Wine and Spirits Global Bulk Wine Sourcing Manager, said: “Waitrose customers get through a corking nearly 25 million natural corks a year. Currently this valuable material does not have its own waste stream, which means it ends up in landfill. Cork is a durable material and has the potential to be repurposed into a variety of products after it has been used as a wine cork.
“This trial is a fantastic way for us to reduce waste and play a part in improving our sustainability as a category. Once we’ve gauged our customer’s appetite to return their natural corks, we’re hoping to roll the trial out to further stores from next year.”
Recycled natural cork can be repurposed into new applications, such as garden mulch, and household items, including placemats, coasters, flooring, and shoes.
NAM Implications:
- Great if even part of the Waitrose logo survives the repurposing process.
- Seriously, with this move, Waitrose will secure the innovator’s advantage…
- …forever.
