Vineyard Hotel & Spa uncorkes its latest recycling initiative

The Vineyard Hotel & Spa’s Food & Beverage Duty Manager, David Wibberley recently implemented a unique and truly inspiring idea of recycling corks to provide flooring for schools catering for underprivileged kids.

 

“The idea unfolded after I heard about a spate of unfortunate events, explained Wibberley. “Many poorer communities are affected by accidental shack fires through paraffin lamps or candles being knocked over, setting blankets alight and often with tragic consequences. Cork has excellent fire retardant qualities as well as having elasticity, durability and hypo-allergenic qualities. I suddenly realised there may be a potential for this product beyond its use in wine making.”

The project received enormous support from visitors, guests and conference delegates to the hotel over recent months, as well as from the Vineyard Hotel & Spa’s wine partners: Klein Constantia (8000 corks collected from this wine estate alone), Buitenverwachting, Boschendal, Anthonij Rupert, Villiera and Groot Constantiat. As a result, the Vineyard Hotel & Spa has collected over 25, 000 corks in just three months.

The first project that will benefit from the recycled corks is the Eerste Rivier Empowerment Centre, a safe house for children from abusive homes. The recycled corks will cover an area of 24 sq. metres that serves as a playroom for the children.

The Vineyard Hotel and Spa is involved in many social investment projects and certainly do their bit in ‘paying it forward’, having a positive impact on the surrounding communities.

For more information on how to get involved in this worthwhile initiative, visit www.vineyardhotel.co.za