The Bob Cork Stool is low carbon, renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, and naturally sound absorbent. Produced in partnership with Modus in South Somerset, UK, and designed by Michael Sodeau, the warm and tactile Bob is made entirely from waste materials generated during the production of wine bottle corks. The stool’s natural finish feels soft to the touch. The curved base features a concave seat and the iconic holes make it easy to move while adding a distinctive design element. When Bob reaches the end of its useful life, it can be recycled into a finer-grade cork composite ready for its next life as a new product.
The cork oak forests of the Mediterranean, where Bob derives its recycled cork from, are biodiversity hotspots as rich in life as Amazonia. Covering around 2.5 million hectares, cork oak forests provide vital income to over 100,000 people in the Mediterranean Basin. Unique in its ability to regenerate its outer bark, cork oaks can be stripped of their cork every 9 years without causing permanent damage to the tree - making cork a truly regenerative material. Supporting cork harvesting helps to preserve its economic viability and unique habitat.