Silk, often called the Queen of Fibers, holds a significant place in history as one of the most luxurious and ancient textile fibers. The first silk textiles emerged in China around 2600 BCE, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of fashion and culture. However, recent discoveries of silk's large environmental footprint, human rights abuses, and animal welfare concerns indicate it is less sustainable than other natural fibers and synthetic fabrics. The Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) ranks silk as the most environmentally unfriendly fabric, mainly due to its global warming potential and use of fossil fuels. 

Here are seven environmental risks associated with silk production:

1.Water usage: 

Growing mulberry trees for silkworms can require a lot of water. The silk production also requires significant amounts of water, even more than cotton

2.Water Pollution:

Silk production is a significant contributor to water pollution. Growing mulberry trees for silkworms can require chemical pesticides and fertilizers. The process of raising silkworms and extracting their silk uses various chemicals that can contaminate water bodies.

3. High energy consumption:

Silk production requires a lot of energy to keep farms at controlled temperatures and to harvest cocoons using hot water and hot air.

4. High Carbon Footprint:

Silk has a considerable environmental impact compared to other fabrics, including synthetic ones. Silk processing can generate greenhouse gasses from the manure and fertilizer used to grow mulberry leaves and coal used to power sericulture facilities.

5. Harm to Biodiversity:

The silk industry relies heavily on mulberry trees, often monocultures, reducing biodiversity.

6. Ethical Concerns:

The traditional method of silk production involves boiling silkworms alive to harvest the silk threads, raising significant animal welfare issues. It's estimated that around 3,000 silkworms are killed to produce one pound of silk. Silkworms are often killed by boiling, steaming, or baking them alive, which some consider cruel. This process is painful for the silkworms and poses moral dilemmas for many consumers. 

7. Negative impacts on workers and their communities:

Silk rearing can adversely affect workers' health, and the industry has been linked to pesticide and herbicide toxicity, carbon monoxide poisoning, and unhygienic rearing. The silk industry has also been linked to child labor, unsafe working conditions, and workers being paid below a living wage.

Better Alternatives to Silk

Although silk may be less sustainable than you think, there are alternatives that can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your silk bedding choices, such as FSC and Ecocert-certified organically grown CleanBamboo® PLNTsilk™ fabric. This is a next-gen silk fabric that can match silk’s positive attributes without harming the planet or its inhabitants. 

Firstly, it’s derived from abundant plant resources – organically grown bamboo, which grows faster than it can be harvested. The bamboo is then processed in a non-toxic, closed-loop system that uses 99.99% less water and emits 86% less CO2 compared to Italian silk. Zero harsh chemicals, such as formaldehyde, pesticides, and phthalates, are used in our textiles. CleanBamboo® fabrics are third-party (OEKO certified) validated as the sustainable choice. 

ettitude’s CleanBamboo® fabric is dyed using low-impact reactive dyes, which are healthier for you and the planet. This process from farm to finished product avoids all toxic chemicals typically used in bedding production.

Our luxurious PLNTsilk™ fabric exudes the elegance of silk while offering the supreme comfort of cotton. Its smooth texture and lustrous appearance redefine luxury bedding, ensuring a serene and indulgent sleep experience.