Waitrose is to trial cork recycling in seven stores across the UK.
The supermarket will set up collection points in its Salisbury, Saltash, Lymington, Bath, Godalming, Truro and Maidenhead outlets this autumn.
Customers will be encouraged to deposit their used natural corks for recycling by processor Amorim. The material can be recycled into applications including mulch, coasters, flooring and even shoes.
Waitrose intends to learn from the trial to decide how best to roll the initiative out more widely.
Barry Dick, global bulk wine sourcing manager, said Waitrose customers got through 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,” he added.
“This trial is a fantastic way for us to reduce waste and play a part in improving our sustainability.
“Once we’ve gauged our customers’ appetite to return their natural corks, we’re hoping to roll the trial out to further stores from next year.”
