NAPA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ReCORK by Amorim, a North American-based wine cork recycling program sponsored by Amorim of Portugal and SOLE of Canada, announced that the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance Board has unanimously selected ReCORK to collect and recycle used and surplus natural cork wine closures from their 100-plus members in Washington state.
To read the entire article click here
Napa, CA– ReCORK America has added another partner to support its cork recycling program. SOLE, the manufacturer of premium footbeds, socks and sandals, will use a blend of recycled cork wine bottle closures in its line of 2010 footwear products.
SOLE joins the many restaurants, resorts, organizations, wine retailers, and wineries who help collect and find use for used natural corks.
To read the full article on this new partnership, please follow this link
Amorim Flooring North America, Inc. has appointed Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI, www.archsystems.com) as its distributor in the commercial segment of Wicanders cork flooring. ASI will cover the Metro New York and New Jersey areas.
Founded in 1990, ASI has been known from the start for its fresh, innovative solutions for commercial interiors. Today, the company’s products are confidently specified by the foremost architecture & design firms and installed globally in major retail, entertainment, hospitality, corporate, healthcare, education and institutional projects.
ASI’s clients return again and again for ASI’s extensive product expertise, professionalism, commitment to service, and collective eye for what’s next®, and the ability to find it all in one place. Founders 
Nancy Jackson (President) and Ron Jackson (CEO) are design advocates who help their clients materialize their vision and have worked with the most prestige clientele. ASI’s team of experts has been recognized for their involvement in every part of the contract project process from concept to installation. Their innovative style and established relationships in the A& D community distinguish them from the rest. Their exceptional knowledge of the industry is known globally and sets trends before anyone recognizes them as trends.
Architectural Systems, Inc. (ASI), a family business, is acclaimed by the industry as a leading provider of architectural materials including sustainable products.
Amorim’s international flooring portfolio is known for its unique ecological properties, aesthetic design and technical attributes.
This new strategic partnership reinforces the demand for high quality eco-efficient flooring solutions, and will strengthen Wicanders’ presence in the New York and New Jersey markets.
We welcome ASI to our family.
Team WIcanders
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Happy New Year Everyone!
We hope your holidays were filled with love, joy and peace. And lots of “green” resolutions for 2009…
We thought we’d start the year off right by bringing you exciting updates about some of the efforts that are being made to preserve the Cork Oak forests of Portugal—the Montados.
Cork Oak Tree at the beautiful Alentejo region
Many people still believe that by reducing their use of cork they are helping to save the forests, when in fact it’s quite the opposite that is true. By choosing cork wine stoppers (instead of metal or plastic) or cork flooring for example, you are creating shared value for the farmers who own the land. You are also helping protect one of the most biologically diverse habitats in the world.
The Iberian lynx, the world's rarest big cat
If you are a frequent visitor to our blog, you already know about Amorim’s (the manufacturers of our Wicanders cork oak floors) latest initiatives such as Save Miguel and ReCork America. Now, we are pleased to announce a new partnership in Portugal between WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and one of the world’s leading health and beauty specialists.
Harnn & Thann have produced a limited edition black rice soap which will sell for five Euros in their Portuguese retail stores. All proceeds are going to sponsor WWF’s work in conserving Portuguese forests and biodiversity and to the on-the-ground projects that WWF is running across Portugal.
Also, BBC’s award-winning program entitled Natural World recently focused on the wealth of natural history amongst the Cork Oak forests of Portugal’s Alentejo region. BBC’s Paul Morrison, together with fellow producer Mike Salisbury followed a year in the life of Francisco Garrett, whose family has harvested cork for five generations. They learned about the many threats to the region and how, once felled, cork woodland is very difficult to restore because a complex ecosystem such as the Montados takes knowledge and patience to recreate.
The stripping of the cork bark does not harm the tree in any way. A cork oak tree can be safely harvested up to 20 times during its life cycle, making cork a truly sustainable natural resource.
To quote Paul Morrison:
“There is […] an important reason to insist on cork. Every time you weigh up which bottle of wine to buy, you hold in your hands the fate of one of the most important wildlife areas in Europe.”
Read Paul’s full report here.
If going green in 2009 is a priority to you, cork is certainly a natural choice. So we say bring on the wine (responsibly, of course) and make your home or business healthier and much more stylish by choosing our Wicanders Cork Oak Floors.
Cheers!
Team Wicanders
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Happy New Year!
We came across this brief write-up by Mark Tercek in the January issue of Reader’s Digest. Mark is the president and CEO of the Nature Conservancy, and we thought sharing his article might inspire you as much as it inspired us. It carries an important message about how, in this New Year to come, each one of us can make sustainability our guiding principle.
To quote Mark:
“As a nation, we must recognize that the health of the environment is inextricably linked to our well-being and prosperity. Functioning natural systems and a stable climate support livelihoods, feed our families, sate our thirst, provide clean air, enrich us spiritually, and represent a legacy for future generations.
I urge you to make sustainability—using resources no faster than they can be replenished—a guiding principle. This commitment will spark progress toward developing clean energy sources, fighting climate change, conserving our land and waters, and rebuilding a battered economy. Your example will inspire leaders around the world to do the same.”
From all of us at Team Wicanders, we wish you a prosperous and sustainable New Year.
Cheers to 2009!
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Cork never ceases to amaze us. It is made into wine stoppers, floors, lamps, furniture, wall coverings…even purses! Well, you will never believe what new green design our parent company, Amorim, has come up with now: Cork Cottages!
Cork Eco-Cottage
The Eco-Cottages are made out of recycled and recyclable materials, and have superior thermal qualities. They are ideal for placement in natural parks and protected areas, and are a hit in Japan, Italy and in the Middle East. These green buildings are made from cork waste, the same thing our Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring is made from. Recycled cork, from the Cork Oak Tree, preserves biodiversity, sustainability, and lasts longer than other insulating material.
Cork is a diverse material. We are so happy to be a part of an innovative time with an innovative green product! Remember to check out the Cork Oak Flooring that Wicanders offers. You can see our seven different collections of flooring here.
Whether its Cork under your feet, on your walls or maybe even in a natural park near you, we hope you love it as much as we do. Until next time,
Team Wicanders
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Our parent company, Amorim, the worlds leading cork producer, recently hosted wine writer, Liza Zimmerman, at their company headquarters in Portugal! Liza is incredibly well traveled and well versed in wine. She is one of only 100 people in the U.S to hold the Diploma in Wine and Spirits, and has been writing, educating and consulting about wine for over 15 years! While in Portugal, she learned about cork, and took some great photos along the way. You can read about her trip here, and make sure to check out her blog!
When you read Liza’s work, it is clear that she is passionate about wine. She says “I know that gathering at table is what has kept families and society together for years, and wine is an essential part of it.” Her passion is inspiring. It reminds us of the very people that harvest the Cork Oak Trees in the Montado Cork Forests. They have been dedicated to these trees for generations and generations.
Cork Oak Tree by Liza Zimmerman
Stacked Cork photo by Liza Zimmerman
We’d like to raise our glass to Liza for spreading the word about Cork. When we choose cork, we are helping the environment and using a sustainable and green material. Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring is proud to be part of this movement. Are you passionate about Cork? Let us know!
Cheers, Team Wicanders
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Wicanders Cork Oak Blog 