Why is cork eco-friendly?

Why is cork an eco-friendly building material?  It's not made with recycled materials and it's not a material like bamboo that is rapidly renewable.   Well, it's neither recycled or renewable, but the production of cork would be considered highly sustainable.   This is because cork is manufactured from the bark tissue of the Quercus Suber or Bark Oak trees.  Once these tress are about 25 years old the cork is typically stripped from the trunks every nine years or so.   The tree continues to live and grow.   The quality of the cork improves after the first few harvests, incredibly these trees live to be around 300 years old.   The sustainability of manufacturing and the recyclable nature of cork products and by-products are two of its most eco-friendly aspects.   Cork Oak forests also prevent desertification and are the home in the Iberian Peninsula for various endangered species.  Cork has become known as one of today' s more  eco-friendly building materials.

The Quercus Suber or Bark Oak trees are indigenous to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.  Portugal produces approximately 50% of the world's cork production while Spain produces close to 30% with production also in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, and France.   Today Cork is being used for flooring, wall and ceiling covering, and much more.    Cork is not only eco-friendly, it is also hypoallergenic and has antimicrobial properties.  Cork tends to repel dust, hair, and other small particles from its surface.  It is also easier to get completely clean. Because of this, cork floors tend to promote higher indoor air quality. In addition, cork contains a waxy substance called suberin. This material has the property of naturally repelling small vermin and insects. This makes cork floors resistant to the growth and colonization of these organisms, and can therefore help to promote the healthiness of an environment.  For more information about cork building materials please check back at www.paperplaneco.us/cork in the near future.