Silk is luxurious, soft, and beautiful—but is it truly sustainable? While it’s natural and biodegradable, the environmental and ethical impacts of silk production make it a more complicated fabric than you might think. Let’s dive into how silk is made, its environmental footprint, and whether there are better alternatives.

How Silk is Made

Silk comes from the cocoons of silkworms, typically reared in controlled environments. Mulberry trees, which feed the silkworms, are low-maintenance and require little pesticide or fertilizer. However, silk farming needs precise climate control, and maintaining these conditions uses significant energy, especially in hot regions like China and India, where most silk is produced.

Environmental Impact

Though silk is natural and biodegradable, the process of producing it is resource-heavy. According to the Higg Index, silk ranks as one of the worst fabrics for environmental impact, requiring significant water and emitting more greenhouse gases than many other textiles, including polyester and cotton. While mulberry trees require less water than cotton, the energy demands for silk production are high.

Ethical Concerns

Silk production traditionally involves killing the silkworms inside their cocoons to harvest the silk threads. For vegans and those who prioritize animal welfare, this is a major ethical concern. Although some producers argue that silkworms do not feel pain, the fact remains that the process involves the destruction of millions of creatures.

Video credit: Vox

Silk Alternatives

For those looking to enjoy silk without the ethical dilemma, there are alternatives like Ahimsa silk (also known as “peace silk”), which allows the silkworm to leave the cocoon before the silk is harvested. Other options include Eri silk and Tussar silk, produced from wild or domesticated silkworms that aren’t harmed. While these methods are kinder to the silkworms, they may not always be better for the environment.

Social Impact

Silk production provides crucial employment in countries like India and China, where it has been a cultural tradition for centuries. For many rural families, especially women, sericulture is a vital source of income. However, concerns about child labor in parts of the silk industry, particularly in India and Uzbekistan, continue to cast a shadow over silk’s ethical reputation.