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Original poster

Can you recycle corks?

26 replies

pocketmonster · 20/07/2009 23:00

Hi all

I have rather alot of corks, I used to put in the compost bin, but found they don't rot too well, so my garden looked like a wino's retreat!

I don't like putting things in the rubbish bin if I can avoid it, so have tried to make a feature of them by collecting in a large square vase. Said vase is now overflowing.

What can I do with them?

Thanks in advance for reading and for any tips.

OP posts:
8oreighty · 20/07/2009 23:02

We have been saving them for 10 years! very interested to know...

Hobnobfanatic · 20/07/2009 23:04

I'm sure the local nusery group could use them.

Original poster
pocketmonster · 20/07/2009 23:05

10 years...you must drink less than we do . I'm being overtaken by corks and that's in about 2 years!

OP posts:
Original poster
pocketmonster · 20/07/2009 23:06

Sorry Hobnob x-post.

Sorry if I'm being daft, but what would the nursery use them for?

OP posts:
8oreighty · 20/07/2009 23:10

We actually put them all into a box when we moved...huge box. We have this strange thing that we can't throw them out, since we met...actually 12 years...we have literally thousands of them. No way am I going into the local nursery with them - would look like biggest alcoholic in area. It is letting up now though with the amount of twist off tops!

Katisha · 20/07/2009 23:13

Oh lordy - DH has a pointless cork collection. And every now and then, when we need a particular sized cork to go in a bottle of cordial or something, it comes in useful.

But not useful enough to justify keeping hundreds of the buggers IMO.

If someone could come along and say they can go in the compost heap that would be a Way Out I think.

Hobnobfanatic · 20/07/2009 23:16

They love corks - for bobbing in water, for painting and using as 'stamps' on paper, for threading, for loads and loads of different craft projects!

Original poster
pocketmonster · 20/07/2009 23:16

Even if I don't get a solution - I feel better because I'm not the only one!

OP posts:
Original poster
pocketmonster · 20/07/2009 23:17

Hobnob - I did start to put them in DD's junk modelling bag that she obsessively fills, but her carer looked at me oddly when I bunged in about 30 corks - so I stopped. I might ask them if they can use them and explain why I have so many so they don't report me to SS for being a lush!

OP posts:
jicky · 20/07/2009 23:32

I made a Christmas wreath out of them once! You can also arrange them in a frame to make a pin board.

jemart · 20/07/2009 23:45

Ooh! I know!
Make a notice board!
You will need lots of corks cut in half lengthways, hotmelt glue gun or other strong adhesive and a large picture frame.
Take the frame apart and discard glass if present.
Glue the corks to the back board in a herringbone pattern (or other pattern of your choosing, I just think herringbone looks quirky) Cork pieces should be as closely packed as possible.
Trim bits of corks to fit any small gaps round the edges, put board back into frame and your done.

jemart · 20/07/2009 23:45

X post there

cat64 · 20/07/2009 23:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Hobnobfanatic · 21/07/2009 10:39

Doing all these craft projects will at least keep you off the bottle for a few hours, POcketmonster

Original poster
pocketmonster · 21/07/2009 20:45

Good point Hobnob!
Thanks jemart - I should try it the kids would love doing that!

OP posts:
Original poster
pocketmonster · 21/07/2009 20:47

Sorry Cat I wasn't ignoring you - do you think I'd look a prat in Brittany in one of those hats..?

OP posts:
FritesMenthe · 21/07/2009 20:55

DH has been collecting corks for a pinboard for about the last 10 years. Now his plans have been thwarted by plastic corks and screwtops. Teehee.

BlueChampagne · 24/07/2009 11:41

If your council runs a high temperature composting service for green waste, put them in there. Possibly not all at once though, they might not thank you

Original poster
pocketmonster · 25/07/2009 21:20

They do - thanks Blue I shall start feeding them in a few at a time!

OP posts:
claireybee · 25/07/2009 21:24

I read this as "Can you recycle norks?"

Time to shut down the computer methinks

scienceteacher · 25/07/2009 21:25

Real corks can go in the compost. Synthetic ones cannot.

We tend to save ours for crafts and science experiments.

bronze · 26/07/2009 10:38

If you have as many million as you say then stick them on end and put them under the kis play area (if you have one)

bronze · 26/07/2009 10:40

www.justcorks.com/ccw.htm

bronze · 26/07/2009 10:40

hehe

bronze · 26/07/2009 10:42

I'm loving the plant pot thing shame dh has wine in boxes