Silk is thought of as a luxury fabric, but did you know that it usually comes from boiling silkworms, innocent creatures that don’t deserve to suffer for the fashion industry.
Even ‘peace or ahimsa’ silk that lets silkworms chew their way of cocoons, has been found to cause harm. Because often when they emerge, they end up starving and tired on the floor, and often also die. Why is that the fashion industry has to harm or kill creatures?
A lot of silk is also produced in the far east, where workers are not paid or treated well.
Tencel (Lyocell) is made from a closed-loop wood pulp and is similar to silk. But it comes from flammable eucalyptus trees, and Spain and Portugal have already banned new plantations, due to concerns over wildfires.
Cupro (cotton waste) Silk Alternative
Cupro is the main alternative, made from the fibres in cotton waste that are too small to be made into anything else, so often get thrown away. In fact, this fibre that looks and feels like silk, has been around since 1900.
Micro Silk (inspired by spiders!)
Microsilk is a new plant-based silk, inspired by that engineer of the best silk – spiders! This company looked at how our eight-legged friends manage to create a beautiful yet strong flexible thread, and have done the same.
Bamboo Fabric
Some people compare to bamboo (the world’s fastest-growing grass) to silk. It is good for clothing and bedding, but care must be taken to avoid ‘mono-cultures’. Industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots eaten by pandas, and it grows so fast, it should be okay.
But it’s not local, and there are likely better more local and sustainable alternatives, although it’s better choice than boiling silkworms.
