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Don't Throw that Wine Cork Away--Recycle It!

I received an e-mail last week from Antoinette at Cork & Fork, a family-owned local wine store. Apparently last year they started collecting used corks from customers at their locations in Bethesda and Gainesville. Now they have a new store in D.C. at 1522 14th Street and it will also be a cork drop-off center.

What do they do with the corks? Cork & Fork collaborates with ReCORK America, which uses them to make shoes. Amorim, a Portugese company, and SOLE, a footwear manufacturer, sponsor the effort. So far, they've recycled 7.5 million corks--not all from D.C. : )

According to the ReCORK website, "There is no reason natural wine corks should end up as garbage when recycled cork can become flooring tiles, building insulation, automotive gaskets, craft materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment"

Apparently after ReCORK collect them, they grind the corks and then SOLE uses the ground corks in "a unique cork blend that enhances the material properties of their footwear products, and replaces some of the petroleum-based material with natural cork, a sustainable alternative."

Cork trees, ReCORK points out, are an important way to sequester carbon dioxide. Because cork bark is removed from a tree without killing the tree, the more cork bark grown and used, the more CO2 is taken from the atmosphere.

So there you have it. Enjoy your wine, save the cork--and drop it off at Cork & Fork.

Green TV Shows Airing During Earth Week

The airwaves become tinged with environmental green this week, thanks to Earth Day (April 22). Here are a few green shows I've heard about; if you know of any more, please post them in the comments section!

On the Air

Through April 29 -- Chesapeake Bay Week on PBS/MPT -- A full lineup of environmental and nature shows for kids and adults.

April 21 at 9:00-9:30 p.m. on PBS/MPT -- 'The Last Boat Out,' a documentary film about the plight of Chesapeake watermen and the Bay they depend upon. (You can attend a viewing party at Hard Times Cafe in Bethesda, too.)

April 21 at 9:00 p.m. on PBS/WETA -- 'Food, Inc.' -- A look at the seamy side of our food industry.

April 21 and weekdays at 5:30 on PBS/WETA -- 'e2 (The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious). This series looks at 'green' urban planning and sustainable architecture. The Season 3 opener on April 21 visits Al-Azhar Park, a 74-acre oasis in congested Cairo that opened in 2005.

April 22 at 4:30 p.m. on PBS/MPT -- 'Growing Greener Schools' -- Today's focus on green building is giving us a better understanding of the potential impacts our school buildings have, not only on the environment, but on our children's - and their teachers' - health and development. Armed with this new knowledge, many school districts across the country are taking "green" to a new level. There's a free premiere viewing at the UMUC Marriott Inn in Hyattsville.

April 23 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS/MPT -- 'Chesapeake Bay by Air' -- Shot in the air from two to 2,000 feet using state-of-the-art high-definition recording gear, Chesapeake Bay by Air's unique perspective of the Chesapeake Bay marries gentle verse, prose and music with stunningly dramatic images of the Chesapeake in a way that, until now, only migrating Canada Geese could truly appreciate.

April Green Events Calendar for the DC Region

Apologies for posting this late. I did get the Earth Day events done by April 1! Here are some more green events coming up this month. Thanks to all who submitted them!

April 10: 4th Annual Arlington Home Show & Expo
This is a a FREE one-stop home improvement expo sponsored by the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) and Arlington County’s Housing Division. It will feature eco-oriented courses such as “Green Your Home From Soup to Nuts,” “How to Catch a Squirrel: Solutions to Common Garden Problems” and “No Cost & Low Cost Ways to Reduce your Energy Use.”

Where: Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16th St. S., Arlington, 22204
When: 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

April 13-14: Flowers for Phones Cell-Phone Recycling Event in DC
Help make the Golden Triangle Clean, Green & Golden this spring by participating in our Flowers for Phones event. Drop off a used cell phone to be recycled at one of the above locations on April 13 and 14 and you get a free potted flower to take home and a chance to win one of many cool prizes from Golden Triangle businesses. It’s part of the Golden Triangle’s Clean, Green & Golden week to make the District's central business district look better than ever.

Where: Farragut Square Park (Connecticut Avenue/K Street) + Triangle Park (21st Street/M Street/New Hampshire Ave)
When: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. both days

April 15: Green Your Home class at Greater Goods
You've heard there are many steps you should be taking to make your house eco-friendly, but where should you start? If you're suffering from green information overload, this class is for you. FREE.

Where: Greater Goods, 1626 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
When: 8:00 p.m.

April 17: ECycling at WholeFoods Rockville
Recycle your old electronics! The store will take your stuff and pass it on to Esquire Environmental Services for recycling. They will accept laptops, computers, small kitchen appliances, stereo equipment, vacuums and more. Check their site for full list. They will NOT accept televisions, batteries, lamp bulbs, paint or hazardous waste.

Where: Whole Foods, 1649 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852 (other local WF stores are hosting similar events; times may vary)
When: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

April 19: Green Building Institute Class--Geothermal and Tankless Water Heaters
Come and hear the experts answer all your questions about geothermal and tankless waters heaters for your home or office. Cost: $25 for students, $40 for GBI members, $55 for non-members.

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 10309 New Hampshire Avenue ,Silver Spring MD 20903
When: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

April 21: Green Building Institute Class--Home Energy Audits
Scheduling a home energy audit can be the first step to making your home more energy efficient. Learn what questions to ask to effectively select an auditor and to get the most out of their services. Cost $40.

Where: Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180
When: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

April 24: Arlington Green Home Class Series: Envelope Strategies
What is a green home? How much does it cost to go green? The Green Building Institute in partnership with Studio27 Architecture and Everyday Green are bringing you a Green Home Series that will answer these questions and many more. Classes take place in a green home that is under construction. Cost: GBI members $40, non-members $55.

Where: 5077 27th Street North (near the intersection of 27th and Edison Street) Arlington, VA 22207
When: Contact GBI for time.

>> Plus, find Earth Day events in the DC region here!

Earth Day Events in the DC Area in April

Hey, I just published a whole page of Earth Day events taking place in the DC region this month. My list contains things happening in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Check it out and share it with your friends!

This will probably take the place of my usual calendar post for the month.