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Material Deep Dive

Recycled Silk

Recycled silk scores 87/100 thanks to the significant environmental savings from bypassing silk's energy-intensive sericulture and reeling processes.

Animal

Recycled

End of Life

2+ years

85/100
Chemical Use

Low

80/100
Pollution

Low

80/100
Water Usage

300 L/kg

99/100
Carbon Footprint

2.5 kg CO₂/kg

84/100
Considerations

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Shorter fibres from the recycling process mean reduced durability — often blended with other materials for strength

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Limited availability and inconsistent quality compared to virgin silk, as supply depends on collected waste

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Still requires some wet processing (washing, potential re-dyeing) which uses water and chemicals

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Fewer certified supply chains than mainstream recycled fibres like recycled cotton or polyester

Strengths

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Gives silk a second life — keeps textile waste out of landfill while preserving a luxury fibre's qualities

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Dramatically lower carbon footprint than virgin silk by skipping the energy-intensive cocoon processing entirely

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Uses a fraction of the water needed for conventional silk, with no agricultural irrigation required

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Fully biodegradable with zero microplastic shedding — breaks down naturally like all protein fibres

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GRS certification available to verify recycled content and responsible processing

Carbon Footprint Analysis

84/100

Recycled Silk produces approximately 2.5 kg CO₂-equivalent per kilogram of fiber.

The Data

Carbon Footprint

2.5 kg CO₂/kg

FSI Carbon Score

84/100

Sources: Higg Materials Sustainability Index, Textile Exchange Preferred Fiber Report

Sustainability Breakdown

Microplastic risk

​

Care level

Delicate

Available certifications

grs, rcs, oeko_tex_100

Key properties

soft, lightweight, breathable, biodegradable, low microplastic risk, unique colour variations

Common uses

scarves, accessories, knitwear, blouses, artisanal garments, blended fabrics

Also known as

reclaimed silk, recycled sari silk, upcycled silk, post-consumer silk, re-spun silk

Recycled Silk quick guide

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