Recycling Corks in the Boroondara City Council area

Wine and champagne corks are collected from various drop off points across Australia by community groups such as Girl Guides Australia, Friends of the Zoos and Green Collect in Melbourne and MND (Motor Neuron Disease) Victoria. These groups recycle the corks to raise funds for their initiatives and programs.

The corks are sent to manufacturers where they are recycled and used in products such as floor tiles, horse-float mats, boat decking, kindergarten flooring, and inners for hockey and cricket balls.

Some collection points will also accept plastic corks for recycling, they are identified below.

The cork recycling drop-off locations near you include:

Dan Murphy's

299 High Street
Kew VIC 3101
* Also accepts plastic corks

1st Choice Liquor Superstore

445 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn VIC 3103

Dan Edwards (hairdresser)

331 Balwyn Road
Balwyn North VIC 3103

The Body Shop - Camberwell

640 Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124

Dan Murphy's

171 Camberwell Road
Camberwell VIC 3124
* Also accepts plastic corks

Mulberry Hill

Shop 1/783 Burke Road
Camberwell VIC 3124

Mnd Victoria

265 Canterbury Road
Canterbury VIC 3126

Principally Plants

Rear 229 High St.
Ashburton VIC 3147

About Cork Oak Trees

  • Corks are derived from the bark of the tree.
  • They must be 25 years old before their first harvest.
  • A further 9 years must pass before another harvest can be made – this helps to ensure that cork is a sustainably-harvested resource.
  • They are grown mainly in Portugal, northern Africa and the Western Mediterranean.
  • Cork Oak trees provide valuable habitat for a wide variety of birds and wildlife.

Importance of Recycling Cork

  • Extends the useful life of the material.
  • Reduces the demand placed on the cork plantations.
  • Saves money by reducing imports of material (approximately 550 tonnes of cork is imported into Australia annually).

Further Information