Cork Recycling Is Available at the Scarsdale Recycling Center!

The Cork Recycling program is part of our community’s ongoing commitment to increase recycling and reduce waste.  Scarsdale residents may now bring their corks to the Recycling Center at 110 Secor Road during regular Recycling Center hours, which are Monday through Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

How It Works

Collect your corks from your opened bottles and bring them to the Recycling Center’s Cork Collection Box, located in the covered area by the Eyeglass Recycling bin and Plastic Bag & Film Recycling bins.

What Is Accepted

All NATURAL CORKS are accepted (from wine or other beverage bottles).

Synthetic corks, screw caps or other non-cork bottle tops are not accepted.  You can tell the difference between real and synthetic corks by breaking off a small piece – unlike synthetic cork, real cork crumbles.

What is the Cork Recycled Into?

The corks collect as part of our program are upcycled into footbeds and flooring.

Why Recycle Cork?

Recycled cork replaces petroleum-based materials. Because it is durable, lightweight, resistant to rot and wicks away moisture, it is an ideal replacement for petroleum-based materials.

Cork is biodegradable.  Increased use of cork instead of plastics and plastic foam benefits our environment as it will never, even in its future, upcycled form, release dangerous toxins or byproducts into the environment.

More About Cork

Cork is renewable.   Cork is originally harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber).  This tree’s bark regenerates naturally, and can be harvested every 9 years.   Since the trees live up to 300 years, cork is natural and self-renewing.  

Cork is sustainable.   Cork forests are primarily located in Portugal, Spain and the Mediterranean region.  They perform a vital environmental by helping to capture atmospheric carbon, deter erosion and spread of desert regions, and provide a vital ecosystem to help protect endangered species.  

Can Cork be Composted?

Yes.  As cork is a natural product it is compostable.   Composting cork is certainly preferable to placing it in the trash, but does not allow for upcycling and reusing.  Therefore if possible, please recycle your cork!