What is Cork and How is it Sustainable?

The raw cork material is all natural and contains no synthetic or petroleum based chemicals.  All cork products use the bark from Cork Oak trees that grow in Spain and Portugal.  After a tree has reached at least 25 years of age, the bark is hand harvested during the summer months and then every 9 years thereafter. Ensuring the health of the trees,  harvesting is strictly regulated and most Cork Oak trees live to be 225 years old. No tree is harmed during this process and can provide up to 22 harvestings in its life span.

Unlike most trees where the primary value lies in the trunk itself.  The cork trees primary value lies in the regenerative bark material adding incentive to keep the cork trees healthy and intact for future generations.   Cork farms are often combined with other forms of agriculture, such as raising pigs or growing another crop in and among the trees. These combinations work well for local farmers to balance the cycle of cork farming.
Cork flooring is a product made from the leftover pieces of the cork wine stopper manufacturing process. After the cork stopper has been punched out, the leftover cork is ground and molded into large sheets that are then baked to create a dense material. This material is then made into a very durable, warm, and beautiful flooring. Nothing is wasted in the harvesting of cork bark.