Cortiça Garden Vertical Planters are made of 100% natural cork raw material without any additives. Our cork panels are produced in Portugal by one of the biggest and most entrepreneurial and innovative companies of Portugal, Amorin who is committed to social equity and environmental safeguards of the cork forests production and harvesting technique. In fact, 90% of its production strictly uses biomass, an organic and renewable source of energy, and any waste or scrap products are 100% recyclable. In addition, quality maintenance inspections are performed every six months in accordance with CSTB standards.
Some people believe that the world’s supply of cork is dwindling, but this just isn’t true. With an average lifespan of 200 years, the cork oak is the gift that keeps on giving; its bark is harvested without causing damage to the tree, and grows back to be harvested again after nine years. So, while demand for cork bark products can temporarily outstrip supply, it will not lead to a shortage of cork. In fact, such a situation can only lead to an increase in cork, as more cork oak trees are planted and harvested to meet demand. Cork forests are now being more sustainably managed than ever before, and new planting is always ongoing.
Cork trees are not cut down or harmed in the harvesting process, and the cyclical extraction of cork uses a process that does not damage the trees. Additionally cork oak increases its ability to absorb the harmful Co2 gases during the natural regeneration process following stripping – a stripped cork absorbs, on average, five times more CO2 and the ability to retain carbon dioxide is also passed on to manufactured cork products, which continue to ensure this function to absorb CO2. It is estimated that for every ton of cork produced, cork oak forests captures over 73 tons of CO2, a vital contribution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the main cause of climate change.
Cork’s sustainability is based on biology and is incontestable, recognized by the World Wildlife Fund, the Rainforest Alliance, and other environmental organization, making cork one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and renewable natural resources.