Cork boards: make your own or help TerraCycle in their efforts...

Apartment Therapy's Re-Nest has a great DIY idea from reader Heather: using wine corks and salvaged wood to make a cork board.

From Re-Nest:
Everyone's got a few wine corks lying around from an evening of fun, or relaxation... Well Heather's figured out an easy way to reuse them and keep the kitchen organized.

Objects:I am using corks and old wooden posts that are possibly from a fence.

Project: First I custom built a frame with the wood, and then I added the corks to make a cork board for the kitchen.

Instructions: To make the frame I first cut the wood in to 4 equal lengths. Then I cut the ends on 45 degree angles. I nailed it together on the corners and attached a backing of chipboard which I found in the trash.

As for the corks, I first arranged them to make sure they all fit snug, then I picked them up one at a time and applied some hot glue with a glue gun and stuck them in to place. The hardest part is making sure the hot glue does not leave any whispy tails that stick out.

Inspiration: I was inspired by a colleague who had started making furniture out of wood found in the garbage. He made me realize that buying new wood is often unnecessary since so much ends up on the trash when people tear down parts of their homes, and often it has more character. So I just starting thinking about creative ways to use used wood, and this is one way I came up with. Luckily I had some friends who really enjoy their Prosecco which made collecting the corks a breeze. Thanks Michelle & May!
(Thanks, Heather!)

If you'd rather not take on this project on your own, consider joining TerraCycle's Cork Brigade in their effort to save corks from ending up in landfills:

TerraCycle is saving millions of corks from going into landfills. We are recruiting wine enthusiasts, restaurants, bars, tasting rooms and wineries to keep used corks out of the waste stream. As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle upcycles used corks - both natural and synthetic - into cool products are available nationally at major retailers.

If you normally put corks in the trash, this program gives you a planet friendlier option! Click here for the Cork Brigade FAQ.

Participating in the Cork Brigade is easy! All you have to do is mail corks to TerraCycle! If you have lots of corks, we will pay shipping and provide downloadable shipping labels. Sign up, activate your account, follow the email instructions and voila! You can begin sending corks to TerraCycle and away from landfills.