Carbon Footprint of Organic Silk

Organic silk is a luxurious natural fiber produced by silkworms raised without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, commonly used in high-end apparel, lingerie, and accessories. The carbon footprint of organic silk averages approximately 215 kg CO₂e per kg, reflecting the resource-intensive sericulture process, though organic production methods help reduce chemical inputs compared to conventional silk.

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Organic Silk

What’s are the CO2e emissions of Organic Silk?

The carbon footprint of organic silk ranges from 215.5 to 216.0 kg CO2e per kilogram, with greenhouse gas emissions primarily driven by energy-intensive sericulture processes, mulberry cultivation, and silk reeling operations. CO2 emissions from organic silk remain substantial despite organic farming practices, reflecting the resource-intensive nature of silk production.
  • Average footprint per kg: 215.5 kgCO2e
  • Median footprint per kg: 216.0 kgCO2e

Emissions by Process Step in Organic Silk Production

The footprint of Organic Silk includes emissions from multiple processing stages. The following process steps were identified as carbon hotspots for Organic Silk production:
  • Raw Materials And Yarn Formation: 90.1%
  • Textile Formation: 4.3%
  • Coloration: 1.9%
Emissions by Process Step in Organic Silk Production

Organic Silk Water Consumption

The water footprint Organic Silk per kg stands at 1174.7 m3, reflecting significant water usage Organic Silk production requires, making Organic Silk water consumption a key sustainability consideration for textile manufacturers.
  • Average water use per kg: 1174.7 m3
  • Median water use per kg: 1179.6 m3

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References

Data sourced from Carbonfact’s proprietary database, powered by over 50 million LCAs run on textile, fashion, and footwear products. The methodology is aligned with the EU Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) and adapted for product category specificity.

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