Wood & Plant-Based
Cork
Harvested without harming trees, naturally antimicrobial
Cork is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees without cutting them down — the bark regenerates every 9 years. It's naturally antimicrobial, water-resistant, and biodegradable. Cork forests also support high biodiversity and act as significant carbon sinks.
Sustainability benefits
- Harvested without harming the tree — bark regenerates
- Naturally antimicrobial and water-resistant
- Biodegradable and recyclable
- Cork forests are important carbon sinks
- Supports Mediterranean biodiversity
Drawbacks to consider
- Limited growing regions (primarily Mediterranean)
- Can degrade with prolonged water submersion
- Lower durability than some alternatives for heavy-use items
What to look for
Cork is excellent for bags, wallets, yoga mats, and home goods. Look for FSC-certified cork to ensure sustainable forest management.
How cork affects a product's score
Cork is classified as natural low-impact, scoring 3/5 on materials. It's biodegradable and recyclable, supporting end-of-life scores. FSC certification can boost the materials score further. Cork's renewable harvesting makes it one of the better-scoring plant materials.
Scores are computed from four dimensions: materials, durability, end of life, and packaging. Each is scored 1–5 using transparent, open-source rules.