Cork is Poppin' Up in Style
So long, Leather - Cork is here to stay! You have to feel it to believe how soft and supple cork can be. New locally-made cork fabric purses, hand bags, and wallets have popped up in store!
Why it's a good choice:
Cork is an eco-friendly alternative to leather that is natural, sustainable, and vegan.
Smooth, soft, and pliable, it feels great to touch.
It is surprisingly sturdy, and will not crumble or degrade with normal use. It is wear and tear-resistant, as durable as leather. The honeycomb structure of cork makes it resistant to impact, abrasion, and friction.
It is extremely lightweight since over 50% of its volume is air.
Naturally water-resistant
Contains naturally-occurring anti-bacterial and anti-mildew properties
How it's made:
After a cork tree reaches 25 years of age, the bark is harvested by skilled laborers without harming the tree.
Once the bark is harvested, the tree acts like a CO2 sponge, absorbing about 5x more carbon dioxide than non-harvested trees. So, harvesting the bark is important to help reduce greenhouse gases.
The same tree can be harvested every 8 to 10 years for over 200 years!
How to Care for Cork:
Gently wipe down with a little soapy water. Cork can be dry-cleaned but it is NOT machine washable.