Circular Strategies and Eco-Innovations for Sustainable Sericulture Waste Management

Abstract

The sericulture industry, while technologically evolving and economically valuable, presents substantial waste management challenges across its production chain—from mulberry cultivation to post-reeling processing. The accumulation of biodegradable waste like silkworm litter, pupal remnants, and rearing refuse, along with non-biodegradable residues such as plastics and chemical effluents, contributes to significant environmental stress and health hazards in silk-producing regions. This review critically analyzes eco-friendly strategies for managing sericulture waste, including vermicomposting, microbial degradation, pupal valorization for animal feed, mushroom cultivation, and biotechnological extraction of fibroin for biomedical applications. What makes this review distinct from earlier studies is its integrated perspective on circular bioeconomy and rural livelihoods, highlighting how waste valorization can simultaneously address environmental challenges and strengthen community resilience. It also explores the emerging role of circular bioeconomy models in linking waste recycling with resource recovery and rural development. By explicitly focusing on sustainability, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, this review provides a framework for future-ready sericulture practices. Drawing on empirical insights and case studies from diverse agro-climatic zones, the paper highlights both the transformative potential and operational challenges of sustainable waste management in sericulture. It concludes by recommending an integrated approach encompassing decentralized infrastructure, policy incentives, and digital monitoring tools to scale circular, climate-resilient practices across the silk value chain.