Cork. It boasts itself as one of the top 10 rapidly renewable materials. Environmentally friendly, cork (harvested from oak trees) production is sustainable in that only the cork bark is harvested and the cork oak tree itself is not cut down. Cork is 100 percent recyclable and completely biodegradable, reducing waste in landfills.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, cork offers multiple uses beyond the standard wine stopper.
Based in the Windy City (Chicago, Illinois), the eco-conscious folks at Corkology have committed to promoting sustainability through the design and manufacture of affordable cork products. Their philosophy is that just because it is green does not mean it has to be expensive.
Corkology has hand-crafted several cork products that would complement any upcoming holiday entertaining you may have planned. All of their products are:
- Biodegradable
- Handmade in the USA
- All natural
- Reusable
- Socially responsible
- Recyclable
We’ll toast to that!
Getting Charged Up
Somewhere along the way, decorating underneath your plate became a “thing.” I can’t say I get it, but hey, what do I know about entertaining? What I do know is that plate coasters — known as “chargers” — come in all shapes and sizes these days. Why not jazz up your seated holiday meal — and protect your dining room table — with Corkology’s eco-friendly plate chargers? Made from structural cork and finished with USP mineral oil for easy cleaning, these decorative, sturdy, and functional cork chargers have a sophisticated and organic appeal.
Coasting Along
Now, if you’re looking for a fun and festive alternative to traditional cup coasters, Corkology has several different choices there, too, including the following cork coaster sets:
- Antique Bicycles (pictured below)
- Great Minds
- Marine Life
- Snowflakes
- And many more
Each set contains six cork coasters.
Here’s a Cool Idea
Looking for an uber-cool way to chill the wine that will be residing in the glasses atop the coasters? Check our Corkology’s cork wine chiller bucket.
A Cork Reminder
Now, all you have to do is stock up on food and drink — and invite the guests! This cork bulletin board might help you remember.
Feature image courtesy of Jay Santiago
Editor’s note: Originally published on October 26, 2015, this article was updated in November 2019.