Silk

 
How does silk fair environmentally and socially as a material?
  • Information on the environmental impacts of silk production is difficult to identify.
  • Silk worms are easily affected by agrochemicals, so it would seem likely that few pesticides are used in both the cultivation of worms, or in their diet (predominately mulberry bushes). 
  • The process of degumming the silk has traditionally used detergent and hot water which have implications for the environment if discharged untreated in large enough quantities. (Source: Kate Fletcher, 1999 www.demi.org.uk)