5 Myths About Cork

1. Cork  is Endangered:

Cork is only endangered if it is not used – this is because cork is a naturally renewable material. If we don’t use cork, if we don’t harvest it then the cork forests might be cleared for paper tree forests. Per the World Wildlife Fund: “But one major threat [for cork oak forests] comes from the growing use of plastic and metal substitutes for cork stoppers for wine bottles, cork’s main market. This could erode the market value of cork – and the incentive to utilize and preserve cork oak forests.”

2. Harvesting Cork Kills Trees:

 Cork harvesting does not kill the cork oak tree. In fact, it helps the tree to live even longer. Per the World Wildlife Fund Website“Cork is most easily stripped off the tree in late spring and early summer when the cells are turgid and fragile and tear without being damaged. The tree then quickly forms new layers of cork and restores its protective barrier. No tree is cut down.”  

3. Once Harvested, Cork Trees no longer Absorb Carbon:

Even when harvested the cork oak trees continue to absorb carbon. Per the World Wildlife Fund: “The [cork oak] trees help conserve soil by protecting against wind erosion and increasing the rate at which rainwater is absorbed. [. . . ] Cork oak landscapes store carbon, reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, [. . . ] Cork oak trees store carbon in order to regenerate their bark, and a harvested cork oak tree absorbs up to five times more than one that isn’t.”

4. Cork Forests are not Diverse:

 Cork forests are home to a plethora of animal species and flora – citing the forests as one of the best examples of biodiversity in the world. Per the World Wildlife Fund: “Cork oak forests support one of the highest levels of biodiversity among forest habitats, as well as the highest diversity of plants found anywhere in the world."

5. Cork is Only for Bottle Stoppers:

 CoolCorC is actively proving this myth to be false! We have many more products in mind for cork, as of now however we offer many personal accessories, writing accessories, as well as our original cork cup sleeve.

January 31, 2011