Cork, known for sealing wine bottles, is now revolutionizing industries as a sustainable material, offering environmental benefits and diverse applications.
Cork harvesting in Portugal, a centuries-old practice, is gaining attention for its sustainability and carbon-negative properties.
Beyond bottle stoppers, cork is now used in clothing, electric car insulation, and even NASA spacecraft, thanks to its unique qualities like fire resistance and durability.
The cork industry says it not only supports local economies but also plays a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts.
Key quote:
“Compared with materials like polyurethane foam [used for thermal insulation], products made with cork require less energy and produce less CO2 emissions.”
— Rui Novais, a materials expert at the University of Aveiro in Portugal
Why this matters:
Cork's resurgence demonstrates how traditional, sustainable practices can be integrated into modern industries, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Under “Cool Biz,” salarymen and government workers don short-sleeved shirts in the summer as offices are kept above 82 degrees Fahrenheit to save energy.
Shein and its competitor Temu together import 600,000 packages a day into the U.S. These products are air freighted, which adds an enormous carbon footprint to their already fossil-fuel-based fibers and fossil-fuel-based processing.
For an Earth-friendly closet, how you shop — finding ways to reduce unnecessary purchases of new items, thinking about how you might wear what you buy and looking for clothes that will last — matters.
