Is Silk a Sustainable Fabric?

Last updated on January 19th, 2024 at 06:07 am

Silk is a luxurious, delicate fabric that has probably appeared in every historical account of royalty. This gorgeous fabric has been used for centuries in clothing and home decor. My grandmother had dozens of stunning silk saris that have lasted for decades in perfect condition. However, I’ve wondered about the sustainability of silk production, and if you are reading this, then you must have, too. In this post, we look into the environmental and social impact of silk production and try to see whether silk can be considered a sustainable fabric.

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What is Sustainable Silk?

Sustainable silk refers to silk that is produced in a way that minimizes the environmental and social impacts of the silk industry. We’ll get to this later, but this is just to establish the guardrails of silk sustainability. 

Conventional silk has a larger environmental impact than other natural fibers and even some synthetic fabrics. This is because it requires a lot of energy, water, and chemicals to grow mulberry leaves, feed silkworms, and process the silk threads. Additionally, conventional silk involves killing the silkworms inside their cocoons, which raises ethical concerns for some people.

There are some alternatives to conventional silk that aim to be more sustainable, and these alternatives are often referred to as sustainable silk. Sustainable silk is not a widely available or standardized product, so it is important to do some research before buying silk products. You can look for labels or certifications that indicate the source and quality of the silk. You can also opt for second-hand or vintage silk items, or choose other natural or recycled fabrics that have a lower environmental impact.

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How is Silk Traditionally Made?

Silk is traditionally made from the cocoons of silkworms, which are boiled or steamed to extract the silk fibers. The fibers are then spun into threads and woven into fabric. This process is called sericulture and has been practiced for thousands of years, mainly in China and other Asian countries.

Here is a summary of the main steps of silk production:

1. Silkworms are hatched from eggs and fed mulberry leaves until they are ready to spin cocoons.
2. Silkworms secrete a liquid protein from their spinnerets and wrap themselves in a layer of silk.
3. The cocoons are collected and sorted by size, color, and quality.
4. The cocoons are boiled or steamed to kill the silkworms and loosen the silk fibers.
5. The fibers are unwound from the cocoons and combined into strands.
6. The strands are twisted and spun into threads of different thickness and strength.
7. The threads are dyed and woven into various types of silk fabric.

Silk is a natural and biodegradable fiber that has many desirable properties, such as softness, luster, durability, and thermal insulation. However, silk production also has some environmental and ethical issues, as you will see below.

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Environmental Impact of Silk

The carbon footprint of silk is 7.63 kg CO2e per 2 square meters of fabric, which is higher than some other natural and synthetic fabrics. So eco friendly silk is a tall order, but let’s first look deeper into various aspects of the silk production process:

1 / Water Usage in Silk Production

As a sustainable fabric, silk has a relatively low water footprint compared to other textiles. While the textile industry as a whole uses a significant amount of water, silk production requires less water compared to cotton and synthetic fabrics. This is because silk is derived from the cocoons of silkworms, which naturally produce silk fibers. The process of extracting silk from the cocoons involves soaking them in water to soften the fibers, but the amount of water used is relatively minimal.

In fact, silk production can be considered more water-efficient than other fabrics, as it does not require extensive irrigation or large-scale water consumption during the growth of raw materials. This makes silk a favorable choice for those looking to reduce their water footprint and contribute to sustainable fashion practices.

2 / Chemical Usage in Silk Production

Silk production involves the use of chemicals, although efforts are being made to minimize their impact on the environment. Traditional silk production can be more chemical-intensive. The use of chemical compounds, such as sodium hydroxide, is common in the production of silk. The dyeing of silk involves adding chemicals to acidic water, which can affect the biodegradability of silk and pollute local water supplies. Some of the chemicals used in silk production and dyeing are acid dyes, metal-complex dyes, reactive dyes, pesticides, and fertilizers.

3 / Land Usage in Silk Production

Silk production requires the cultivation of mulberry trees, which are the primary food source for silkworms. These trees need a significant amount of land to grow and provide enough leaves for the silkworms to feed on. Additionally, the silkworms themselves need space to spin their cocoons.

To ensure sustainable land usage in silk production, it is important to consider sustainable agriculture practices such as agroforestry, which involves integrating mulberry trees with other crops or trees to optimize land use. This can help minimize the impact on natural ecosystems and promote biodiversity.

In addition, sustainable silk production can also involve using organic silk farming methods and avoiding the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals. This helps protect the soil quality and reduces the negative impact on land.

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Social Impact of Silk Production

Silk constitutes a minuscule 0.2% of the global fiber market, yet it translates to a market worth of nearly $17 billion [2021]. China is the world’s leading silk producer and employs around a million workers. India is the second-largest producer of silk, and employs a widely dispersed rural workforce of 7.9 million people. 

The silk industry has faced ethical concerns, as it has been associated with child labor, particularly in India and Uzbekistan. In 2003, Human Rights Watch estimated that approximately 350,000 children in India were working as bound laborers in the silk sector, often subjected to harsh conditions of physical and verbal abuse. Moreover, workers within the silk industry are exposed to health risks and unsafe working conditions. 

Fair Trade Silk

We want to buy socially responsible silk. So, when choosing silk products, it’s important to support brands that are part of fair trade initiatives. By doing so, we contribute to creating a more equitable and sustainable silk industry.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Look for brands that prioritize fair trade and ethical production practices.
• Support brands that are members of the World Fair Trade Organization.
• Choose silk products that are produced without child labor or forced labor.

Choose brands that prioritize trade and ethical silk production practices, guaranteeing better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the Global South. Look for members of the World Fair Trade Organization, which works on the 10 Principles of Fair Trade, including opportunities for disadvantaged producers and a commitment to no child labor or forced labor.

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Cruelty-free Silk & Other Alternatives

Silkworms are killed in their cocoons during the silk production process (they would naturally mature into moths). And about 2,500 silkworms are required to make one pound of raw silk. So, traditional silk is certainly not an animal-friendly or cruelty free fabric. There are some alternatives to conventional silk that aim to reduce the chemical usage and environmental impact, and take into consideration animal welfare, such as organic silk, peace silk, wild silk, and vegan silk. 

Organic silk is certified by third-party organizations that ensure the mulberry trees are grown without pesticides and the silkworms are treated humanely. 

Peace silk (aka ahimsa silk) is made from cocoons that are collected after the moths have emerged, so no silkworms are harmed. 

Wild silk is made from cocoons that are harvested from wild moths that live on various plants, not just mulberry trees. 

Recycled silk is a great alternative, and we’re big fans of recycled materials and the circular economy in textiles. No virgin resources are used, and you won’t be adding precious (and gorgeous) fabric to the landfills.

Vegan silk is made from plant-based or synthetic materials, such as bamboo (artificial silk), soy (soy silk), rayon, or polyester. There’s also lotus silk, pineapple silk, banana silk, and….you get the idea!

These types of silk may have different properties and qualities than conventional silk, so it is important to do some research before buying silk products. You can also look for labels or certifications that indicate the source and quality of the silk, or use third-party platforms that rate the sustainability of different brands and products.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 / What are the environmental impacts of silk production?

Silk production can have significant environmental impacts, including high water usage, chemical usage, and land usage. These factors contribute to water pollution, soil degradation, and habitat destruction.

2 / Are there any social issues associated with silk production?

Yes, there can be social issues associated with silk production. Working conditions in silk production can vary, and it is important to ensure fair trade practices are followed to protect the rights and well-being of workers.

3 / What is Spider Silk?

Spider silk was originally silk made from spider cobweb material. But spiders are not very cooperative in groups. Bolt Threads has created a synthetic spider silk called Microsilk. It’s an exciting material that is sustainably made.

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This post was about the sustainability of silk fabric

The sustainability of silk fabric depends on various complex factors. While silk itself is a natural and biodegradable material, and a renewable resource, the production processes can be energy, water, and chemical-intensive. Not to mention the killing of countless silkworms.

However, there are more eco-friendly silk options. It is important for us to consider the entire life cycle of silk, including sourcing, manufacturing, and transportation, to make informed choices. Crucially, we should support brands that are committed to cruelty-free and sustainable practices.

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