Packaging
The brand uses plastic-free, biodegradable, and recycled materials for its packaging and tags, avoiding conventional plastics entirely. Gift Boxes are made from FSC-certified, recyclable paperboard printed with soy-based inks. Additionally, Silk & Willow’s signature wooden ribbon spools are custom-made from FSC-certified wood and finished with natural, water-based stains instead of toxic coatings. In fact, the company runs a spool return program that encourages customers to send back empty spools (at no cost) for reuse, rewarding them with store credit.
Material Sustainability
The brand explicitly forgoes synthetic fabrics, meaning no polyester, nylon, or other petroleum-derived fibers that carry heavy environmental footprints. Core materials include silk and cotton, both biodegradable fibers. Notably, the company sources organic and ethically produced silks and uses hand-spun, hand-loomed cotton (Khadi) for its textiles. Many silk textiles carry the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification, ensuring the silk fabric meets strict environmental standards and is free of harmful substances. The brand also references adherence to GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for materials it cannot grow or source locally.
Traceability and ecological sourcing are woven into the brand’s model. Silk & Willow has long-term partnerships with suppliers who share its environmental values, including silk producers in China and India that uphold sustainable practices
Energy Use and Footprint
In terms of energy use and carbon footprint, Silk & Willow’s public disclosures are limited. The brand does not publish data on its greenhouse gas emissions or use of renewable energy, nor does it claim to be carbon-neutral. No evidence of formal carbon accounting or offset programs could be found.
Waste Management
The brand is dedicated to avoiding waste at every stage, from raw materials to product end-of-life. A standout initiative is their Ribbon Spool Recycling Program, which actively closes the loop on a packaging component. Customers can return a minimum of 15 wooden ribbon spools for free, and Silk & Willow will refill/reuse them while granting store credit as a reward. Additionally, Silk & Willow upcycles textile waste into new products: their handmade paper is crafted entirely from reclaimed cotton offcuts.
Furthermore, Silk & Willow embraces the concept of selling “Seconds,” which are textile items with minor imperfections. Instead of scrapping these hand-loomed table linens or dyed fabrics that have small snags or irregularities, the brand offers them at a discounted price.
Business Model
Silk & Willow’s business model strongly supports slow, intentional consumption over fast-paced, disposable trends. As an artisan brand, it produces a curated line of evergreen products. New product introductions are infrequent and driven more by creative exploration (such as limited-edition botanical prints) than by seasonal fashion cycles. Silk & Willow often makes items to order or in small batches, and even handles custom projects, which inherently avoids overproduction and excess inventory.
