The Institut Català del Suro has promoted one urban planning intervention with recycled corks in the entrance yard of the Foundation consisting of a rockery and a cork path. This is an action within the circular economy demonstration project ALCORKE for give a second life to recycled corks by means of their collection, crushing and mixing with glues to be used on tree stumps and playground pavements.

The performance

To make the path, the yard was cleaned, a 20 cm trench was dug and metal plates were installed around the perimeter to mark the path. Subsequently, a layer of gravel has been poured to drain and the mixture of cork and agglomerates, of two different types, has been applied to achieve the desired cushioning effect in accordance with EN1176 and EN1177 pavement standards security for children's parks.
As for the escocell, the process has been similar. In the case of this product, the use of cork is focused on greater retention of moisture and being able to oxygenate the roots of the trees.

Both prototypes aim to be comfortable to step on, accessible to all audiences and to drain properly.

With this intervention, we seek to highlight cork in urban planning spaces and, in turn, contribute to the circularity of a natural and reusable 100% material that is synonymous with sustainability, has a negative carbon footprint and retains most of properties once used.

The status of the project

The ALCORKE project envisages different phases consisting of the search for binders and the execution of laboratory tests, the optimization of cork crushing issues, the testing of screeds and pavements in urban spaces, the execution of tests standardized and the analysis of the life cycle of the prototypes.

A 70% of the project has currently been developed and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2023. Its impetus has been made possible thanks to a grant from theCatalan Waste Agency.

Interested in applying this to your backyards or urban areas?

This urban intervention can be used as an educational tool for recycling and is an example of circularity. In fact, this November 2022 it has been incorporated into the III Catalog of Good Circular Economy Practices promoted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

If you want to apply it to your facilities, get in contact with us.