Can You Recycle Wine Corks?
No
Not curbside — but natural cork has drop-off programs
Why
Corks are too small for sorting machines. Natural cork is a renewable material with dedicated recycling programs; synthetic corks are plastic and belong in the trash.
How to dispose of wine corks
- Natural cork: drop at collection boxes found in many wine shops and grocery stores
- Natural cork can also be composted (chop it up first)
- Synthetic (plastic) corks: trash
Greener option
Corks are a classic craft material — trivets, boards, plant markers.
♻️ Recycling rules vary by city and hauler — when in doubt, check your local program. You can look up your area on our trash & recycling schedules page.