American Airlines has revealed that many of its wine corks are to be recycled and used as flooring.
The carrier is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the opening of its first Admirals Lounge and is beginning the programme for all corks at the VIP lounges.
Sustainable flooring as well as shoe soles are to be created through the initiative, which sees American Airlines enter into a partnership with ReCORK America and Sodexo.
"Natural cork wine closures are ideal for recycling because they are a truly sustainable resource, and one of the few forms of product packaging that is 100 per cent recyclable," said ReCORK America spokesperson Roger Archey.
The organisation believes 13 billion corks are made for the global wine industry each year and American Airlines is to collect them at Admirals Club lounges in 24 cities in the US.
Cork flooring was recently recommended by experts at the UK Flooring Direct blog, as its composition means it can absorb impacts.
