Indian textile heritage
Mulberry Silk
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal sericulture
Impact score
52/ 100
Moderate
A blended indicator of water, carbon, chemical load, durability and recyclability.
Measured impact per kg of fibre
Water footprint10,500 L / kg
Carbon footprint19 kg CO₂e / kg
Process energy96 MJ / kg
Microfibre sheddingNo shedding
BiodegradableYes
Durability20 years typical wear
Recyclability45 / 100
Data confidence
mediumMedium confidence — published ranges vary by region and process
Sources: Central Silk Board 2022 · Higg MSI 2023
Figures are cradle-to-gate averages per kilogram of fibre or fabric, not measurements of your specific garment. A typical adult shirt weighs roughly 0.2 kg.
Qualitative ratings
Water useHigh
Carbon footprintHigh
Chemical loadModerate
DurabilityHigh
RecyclabilityPoor once blended
What is it
Filament protein fibre reeled from cultivated Bombyx mori cocoons.
Why it matters
Renewable and biodegradable, but rearing and reeling are water- and energy-intensive per kg.
Water Carbon Chemicals End of life
What you can do
Choose handloom silk, dry-clean rarely, and pass it down.