Sericulture Waste to Wealth: Value-added Products and Sustainable Utilization

Abstract

Sericulture a prominent agro-based industry in countries like India, China and Brazil generates significant quantities of by-products, including mulberry leaves, silkworm pupae, defective cocoons, rearing bed waste and silk sericin. Once considered waste, these by-products are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for economic and environmental sustainability. This review highlights the potential of sericulture waste to contribute to a circular economy through value-added applications such as composting, vermicomposting, animal feed production, pupae oil extraction, cosmetic formulations, pharmaceuticals and bio-composite materials. Sustainable practices including organic mulberry cultivation integrated pest management (IPM) and efficient waste recycling not only improve soil health and reduce reliance on chemical inputs but also provide multiple income streams for rural communities. Case studies from India, China and Japan demonstrate successful models of waste-to-wealth integration, emphasizing environmental preservation, rural livelihood enhancement and economic growth. Challenges such as technological limitations, limited market access, low awareness among farmers and insufficient policy support are addressed with recommendations focusing on research and development, training programs, policy incentives and market linkages. Overall, the efficient utilization of sericulture waste represents a sustainable pathway for enhancing the profitability, ecological responsibility and resilience of the silk industry.