Uncork, Unbox, Upcycle: How to Recycle & Reimagine your Hattingley Packaging

So, you’ve placed an order with us? Well, whether it's your first time or you're a returning Hattingley Valley enthusiast, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for supporting us on our journey! Your order plays a vital role in helping us spread awareness around the growing English wine industry, through the joy of drinking and sharing our wines! Now, as you eagerly await the arrival of your Hattingley purchase, we'd like to take the opportunity to tell you a little bit about how your order will be packaged.

Here at Hattingley Valley, our commitment to sustainability extends to elements of the business both large and small. As proud members of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain, we aim to uphold the vine-growing and winemaking objectives outlined by the scheme, including responsible packaging practices. However, we can't achieve our sustainability goals alone. As your order makes its way to your doorstep, you are also joining us in our mission to reduce waste and reduce our environmental footprint. That's why we're excited to share some simple tips and tricks with you on how to recycle and repurpose the packaging from your order.

Meet the Hattingley Valley Orders Team!

Allow us to introduce you to the dynamic duo that is our fabulous Hattingley Valley orders team. Once you’ve pressed go on your order, Becca and Zoe are right there, ready to package and send it to your door (a bit like wine superheroes really!). They make sure to box and wrap your order with care, so that it reaches you in one piece. 

Here at Hattingley we care about the packaging we are putting out into the world, and where it ends up. So, without further ado, here are our top pointers on what to do with your order after it’s been safely delivered to your door:

• Drinking the wine you order is probably the easiest way to start! But in all seriousness, the journey your bottle of wine has been on has been a long one, with many processes, so drinking and enjoying it is certainly a good way to begin. (If you would like to learn more about the winemaking process from grape to glass, why not join us on a Tour and Tasting at our Hampshire Winery?)
• Once you’ve finished your bottle (or bottles) you can recycle them in your household glass recycling 
• Don’t forget to secure any screw tops from our still wine bottles, so that the recycling plant can use them for aluminium recycling
• You can donate the corks from your bottles to www.recorkeduk.org for a good cause or repurpose them at home (more on that later!)
• Recycle our cardboard boxes, leaflets, bottle sleeves and wine bottles in your household recycling.
• And don’t worry - we know those foam chips in your wine box look an awful lot like plastic, but they are in fact 100% biodegradable! Dissolve our Eco Biofil loose fill chips in water or add them to your compost and watch them disappear…

How to Repurpose Our Wine Packaging: Wine Corks & DIY Projects 

Now for the fun part! After all, recycling doesn't have to be all: ‘What day is bin day Susan?’. It’s time to get crafty with some wine cork crafts and decor. Here are our top 5 DIY repurposing projects:

1. DIY Cork Coasters

Let’s start with something simple yet incredibly useful—cork coasters. Not only are they functional, but they also add a rustic touch to your home. Here’s how to make them:

• Gather your materials: You’ll need wine corks, a sharp knife or cutter, hot glue, cardboard, twine.
• Cut the corks: Carefully cut the corks into even slices, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Arrange and glue: Arrange the cork slices in a circular pattern and place on to a cardboard base, then glue them in place.
• Trim and finish: Once the glue is dry, trim any excess cardboard around the edges, finish with some twine or ribbon around the outside.

2. Cork Keychains

Cork keychains are always a hit, and you certainly won’t lose your keys with this on the end! Follow these steps to create your own:Gather Materials: You’ll need a wine cork, a small screw eye, a keyring, and optional decorative elements like paint or beads.

• Attach the screw eye: Twist the small screw eye into one end of the cork.
• Add the keyring: Attach the keyring to the screw eye.
• Decorate: If desired, paint or decorate the cork to give it a personal touch.

3. Wine Cork Bulletin Board

A cork bulletin board is a perfect blend of practicality and charm. It’s ideal for pinning notes, photos, or recipes in your kitchen or office or just as a nice piece of DIY art.

• Gather your materials: You’ll need a large picture frame, wine corks, and a glue gun.
• Prepare the Frame: Remove the glass and backing from the frame, leaving just the outer frame. We'd recommend a slightly deeper frame to encompass our corks!
• Arrange the Corks: Lay out the corks inside the frame in a pattern you like. You can cut them in half lengthwise for a flatter surface.
• Glue in Place: Once you’re happy with the arrangement, glue the corks into place.

4. Cork Plant Markers

For the gardeners among us, cork plant markers are a charming and eco-friendly way to label your plants.

• Gather your materials: You’ll need wine corks, wooden skewers, and a permanent marker.
• Write on the corks: Use the marker to write the names of your plants on the side of each cork.
• Attach the skewers: Push a wooden skewer into the bottom of each cork.
• Place in the garden: Stick the markers into the soil near your plants.

5. Cork Name Placeholders

If you're planning a wedding or hosting a dinner party, wine cork name placeholders are an elegant and eco-friendly touch that your guests will love.

• Gather your materials: You’ll need wine corks, a sharp knife, a small saw or cutter, and name cards.
• Cut a slit: Using the knife or saw, carefully cut a small slit along the length of each cork. This is where the name card will sit.
• Personalise your name cards: Write or print your guests' names on small cards that will fit in the slit.
• Insert cards: Gently slide the name cards into the slits.
• Arrange on the table: Place the cork placeholders at each place setting for a charming and personal touch.

By using wine corks as name placeholders, you not only add a unique, handmade element to your event but also showcase your commitment to sustainability. It’s a win-win for style and the environment!

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There you have it, just a few ways you can repurpose your wine corks and get your DIY on! Not only do these projects give your corks a second life, but they also add that personal touch to your home and events. So, next time you pop open a bottle of Hattingley Valley English Sparkling, think twice before throwing away that cork! And if you need a few more - start popping those bottles! (Or get in touch, we’ve got lots!).

Thank you for supporting Hattingley Valley and for being part of our journey toward a greener future. Together, we can make a difference—one cork, box, and bottle at a time!

Happy crafting! 🥂