Over the last several years, homeowners have increasingly looked for ways to make their homes more environmentally friendly. From more complicated projects such as installing eco-friendly home fixtures to simpler measures like replacing incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs that consume far less energy, the options for eco-conscious homeowners are numerous.

Perhaps no eco-friendly home improvement has garnered more attention and acclaim in recent years than cork flooring. Because only the bark of a cork tree is harvested to produce cork flooring, the cork tree can continue to flourish after the product is removed. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that even after cork is initially harvested from a cork oak tree, that tree will likely live another 100-120 years and can continue to be harvested every 9-12 years. What’s more, cork is extracted entirely by hand, without any machinery that might potentially harm the environment.

Homeowners who have chosen cork often cite its structure as one of its most appealing qualities. Because it is soft, cork flooring has a cushioning effect that is both comfortable and helps reduce noise around the home. In addition, air cells within the cork help trap heat, meaning cork flooring acts as an insulator that can help homeowners reduce energy consumption while lowering their heating bills along the way.

But as beneficial as cork can be around the house, it’s no longer restricted to flooring. That’s thanks in large part to New York-based entrepreneur and environmentalist Michelle Brown, who discovered cork on a trip to Portugal, where the versatile eco-friendly material was used to create a host of products.

“(In Portugal) I was introduced to items made from cork and couldn’t understand why this amazing resource was vastly underused,” says Brown, who soon decided to bring this versatile material to the American marketplace.

Within two years of her trip to Portugal, Brown had done just that, founding All Cork, which produces eco-friendly and vegan handbags and other fashion accessories for men and women that are lightweight, durable, and stain- and water-resistant. Produced during a detailed and labor intensive process, All Cork’s products are proof that cork’s longstanding appeal is now stretching beyond flooring and into fashion.

“Cork has evolved far beyond its traditional uses, and the possibilities for this leather alternative are endless,” says Brown. “I am excited and extremely proud to be a part of the movement towards eco- friendly fashion.”

More information about cork and All Cork products is available at www.allcork.com.

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