Find places to recycle corks near you

Find a nearby place for corks

Set your location to search close to home. The finder only shows places linked to this item.

How to recycle corks

Save natural corks for a named collection or reuse project. Synthetic corks need a different route and often go with general waste.

Possible recycling routes

Specialist recycling schemesReuse shops and centresReuse hubs and shopsSpecialist disposal servicesHousehold hazardous waste services

Prepare corks for recycling

• Keep corks clean and dry
• Separate natural cork from plastic stoppers
• Remove wire cages and foil

What must stay out

Keep these items separate and check the site rules before you travel.

• Council food waste services do not usually accept cork
• Plastic stoppers are not accepted by every plastic collection
• Specialist schemes can have minimum quantities

Types of site to check

These site types can list corks. Each provider sets its own limits and access rules.

• Specialist recycling schemes

  Collection services for items that most household recycling bins cannot accept. Schemes can use shops, postal returns or limited public drop-off points.

• Reuse shops and centres

  Sites that accept usable household items for resale or redistribution. They can be at recycling centres or run as separate community projects.

• Reuse hubs and shops

  Sites that accept usable household goods for resale, repair or redistribution. Local teams decide which items they can take.

• Specialist disposal services

  Services for waste that needs controlled handling or a dedicated collection route. Check the official service before you move or transport the item.

• Household hazardous waste services

  Council sites and collection services for household materials that can harm people or the environment. You must check the local service before travel.

Related item guides

• Aluminium foil and trays

  Clean kitchen foil, foil trays and aluminium takeaway containers.

• Glass bottles and jars

  Empty food, drink, medicine and cosmetic bottles or jars made from container glass.

• Plastic pots, tubs and trays

  Empty food pots, margarine tubs, meat trays, fruit punnets and similar rigid plastic packaging.

Browse all item guides

Questions about recycling corks

Where can I recycle corks?

Enter your postcode in the local finder to search specialist recycling schemes and reuse shops and centres and reuse hubs and shops and specialist disposal services and household hazardous waste services near you. Check the provider page before you travel because item lists and access rules can change.

How should I prepare corks for recycling?

Save natural corks for a named collection or reuse project. Synthetic corks need a different route and often go with general waste.