Cork Forest Conservation Alliance

The Cork Forest Conservation Alliance: Our Story

At the Cork Forest Conservation Alliance (CFCA), we are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Mediterranean cork forests, their inhabitants, and biodiversity. Our mission is to educate and promote sustainability, and we believe that teaching and promoting sustainability is the best way to systematically approach and solve the many complex environmental challenges facing society today.

A Brief History

Founded in 2008, our organization, formerly known as Cork ReHarvest, has led the cork recycling movement in the US and Canada, helping to collect and recycle some of the 13 billion natural corks that are produced each year. We recognize the importance of educating the public about the Mediterranean cork forests, which contain one of the world's highest levels of forest biodiversity, including endemic plants and endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx, the Iberian Imperial Eagle, and the Barbary Deer.

What We Do

We speak for the cork forests, the people, plants, and animals that inhabit them, and who depend on those forests for their survival. Our education efforts focus on the ecological importance of the Mediterranean cork forests, sustainable harvesting practices, and the priceless co-evolutionary relationship between people and nature. Cork ReHarvest is a viable collection and recycling program that works with our partners to collect the corks before they reach the landfills. We also strive to educate the public about the negative environmental impact that screw caps and plastic closures have on our planet.

Our Recycling Program

Our recycling program collects the corks from our partners and develops carbon-neutral processes for manufacturing and shipping. This program also helps educate the public about the negative environmental impact of screw caps and plastic closures. We work with new businesses that recycle cork to develop carbon-neutral processes for manufacturing and shipping. Our "Real Cork Inside" certification program was developed to help wineries let consumers know that they have committed to using natural cork to close their wines.

Partnerships and Memberships

We work with businesses, communities, colleges, and government agencies to support our efforts to save this remarkable natural resource. We partner with businesses like Whole Foods Market Mid West Region and the New York Times to promote sustainable practices. Our programs are certified by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR).

The Importance of Cork Forests

These forests contain one of the world's highest levels of forest biodiversity, including endemic plants and endangered species. They are also a vital source of income for thousands of family farmers, who for generations have worked these forests. Furthermore, these forests absorb millions of tons of CO2 each year and provide the greatest defense against the desertification of this region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the cork forests so important?

A: These forests contain one of the world's highest levels of forest biodiversity, including endemic plants and endangered species. They are also a vital source of income for thousands of family farmers.

Q: Doesn't recycling the cork here reduce the need for cork from the Mediterranean forests?

A: No, recycling the cork helps promote the use of cork for products and industries that were not using cork before.

Q: Isn't there a cork shortage?

A: No, based on current estimates, there is enough cork to close all wine bottles produced in the world for the next 100 years.

Q: What's wrong with screw caps and plastic closures?

A: Screw caps are not sustainable, they are not actively being recycled, and they are not biodegradable. Plastic closures are made from petro-chemicals, are not biodegradable, and have a negative impact on the environment.