Environmental issues are at the forefront of Silkbody’s operations. By its nature, sericulture (silk production) is earth-friendly. The mulberry leaves are a renewable and sustainable crop as the trees produce year after year. They are replaced after 8 years, after which they are not such vigorous growers and the leaves are not so tasty. No pesticides can be used on the mulberry trees. The silkworms themselves demand the purest and best quality leaves as their food.

Silk fibres are highly absorptive and are easily dyed. We do not add any treatments to improve ant-static, flame retardance, wash-and-wear or anti-bacterial properties because silk is already naturally endowed with these properties. Silk is also biodegradable and will decompose easily in landfills.

The wool used in Silkbody fabrics is fine merino, sourced from north China where they do not practice mulesing of sheep. The cotton used is also sourced from China.

The factories where Silkbody is made are required to meet international standards. All factories are compliant with the International Organisation for Standardization standard for quality (ISO9002). The garment factory also complies with the European Business and Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), a platform for the improvement of social compliance in the supply chain of commerce.

The BSCI is based on the labour standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other important international regulations like the UN Charter for Human Rights, as well as on national regulations. The Initiative aims at continuously improving the social performance of suppliers, thus sustainably enhancing working conditions in factories worldwide.

Social and ethical standards are maintained in all factories. Employees are paid reasonable wages and Silkbody management personally visit the factories regularly to ensure standards are being met.

Silkbody store display stands are made from environmentally-friendly materials such as recycled wood, natural paints and waxes.

Box packaging is made of recycled cardboard and printed material is printed on paper from sustainable forests using biodegradable inks.

A return and reuse system is offered to NZ retailers, who are able to return garment packaging to Silkbody for re-use or recycling with a refund incentive per box.

At head office all office cardboard and paper is recycled or re-used. Through the Waste Exchange program run by the local council, Silkbody donates excess packaging waste, such as cardboard, tissue paper and plastic bags to community organisations, schools and kindergartens for use in projects and teaching.

Where possible we employ local and national businesses for a range of services such as logistics, packaging, printing and communications.