Recycled sterling silver is a sustainable metal that we use in many of our ethical jewellery pieces, but while the likes of paper recycling feel familiar, it's not always obvious exactly what recycling means in the context of jewellery. Today we're taking a closer look at this precious metal.
What is recycled sterling silver?
Recycled sterling silver is sterling silver that has previously been used in a different form or product. Sometimes called 'ecosilver', it can be made from jewellery, silverware, or sometimes electronics, since silver is used in items like cameras, phones or even medical equipment.
Recycled sterling silver can be purchased in the form of wire, sheet, grain or solder – that jewellers will use to make something new and beautiful – or it can be made by a jeweller who is undertaking the process themselves by recycling old jewellery items or pieces of silver to create new items from.
How is silver recycled?
Recycling metals is not a new idea; it is a process that has been practiced for hundreds of years. Silver is 100% recyclable, and loses none of its purity in the recycling process, so it can essentially be reused indefinitely.
In the recycling process, metals are collected and sorted before being shredded into smaller pieces. They are then melted down, and sometimes purified when needed so that the quality is retained. Finally, they are cooled and solidified to form sheets, wire, bars or other workable shapes that will go on to be purchased by jewellers or other businesses that have a need for recycled silver.
On a smaller scale, some jewellers will also recycle silver themselves in order to minimise waste. At Wild Fawn, we use a combination of both methods as we are able to reuse silver from existing jewellery pieces, such as heirlooms or our own samples, by melting them down and reforming them into something new and beautiful.
This is something we are able to do over and over again, since silver is infinitely recyclable and retains the same quality; it's just better for people and the planet.
Is recycled sterling silver ethical?
Recycled sterling silver is an ethical option both for the jewellers who use it and for jewellery buyers looking to shop in a more conscious way.
Silver (like all precious metals) comes from natural resources that are non-renewable; all silver was extracted from the earth at some point, so recycling it whenever possible means that it gets more than one life after this process.
Mining for new silver consumes a huge amount of energy, resources, and land. Its negative environmental impact is felt in the form of contamination and a loss of biodiversity, and there are often human rights issues at play for the workers involved too, such as exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and child labour. Recycling is therefore a better alternative to mining new silver, using less energy and fewer resources, and with a far lower carbon footprint.
Choosing recycled is often very important for eco-conscious consumers, as a demand for recycled silver gives less power to mining companies looking to exploit the environment and workers.
The benefits of recycled sterling silver
For those considering a recycled silver piece next time they add to their jewellery collection, it is a choice that comes with many advantages.
It's an ethical choice
Recycled sterling silver is an ethical choice to make and far preferable to newly-mined silver when it comes to matters of sustainability and social justice.
It's high quality
Recycled sterling silver is a good quality material - the same quality, in fact, as 'new' sterling silver. The silver items made from it can be created to equally high standards as any other jewellery piece, so that you end up with something well made and long-lasting.
Solid recycled sterling silver jewellery is also less likely to tarnish than silver plated jewellery. While all silver can tarnish, since this process is simply a chemical reaction between the metal's surface and the air, it is something that takes much longer in solid recycled sterling silver items. Wear your jewellery frequently with pride to keep things buffed out and looking lovely, as it is sitting for long periods in a jewellery box that most often makes this happen.
It can be more cost-effective
Recycled silver can often be more cost-effective when compared to newly-mined silver; it costs less to melt down something that already exists than it does to extract new materials from the earth.
This saving is often passed on through the jeweller to the customer, although do keep in mind that ethical companies naturally have higher costs due to doing things the 'right' way, so while they may pay less for a recycled material, they are often paying those involved in the creation of your item much more than a non-ethical brand would be.
It reduces waste
While precious metals are just that - precious - and therefore seem as though they would be less likely to be thrown away than some other items, it is estimated that a staggering 90% of all silver that has been mined has gone on to be discarded in landfills.
This is a hugely wasteful practice, especially in the wider context of continued mining due to the demand for this metal. Reusing silver, whether its small scale silver recycling or something broader, stops it from being wasted and ending up in landfill.
It reduces the release of toxins
The process of smelting (melting and separating metals from ore) is a highly energy-intensive one that also releases toxins into the atmosphere. These are the likes of greenhouse gases, as well as toxic and hazardous metals and pollutants like sulphur dioxide. Using recycled sterling silver helps to limit the demand for new silver and therefore limits the need for smelting.
It contributes to a circular economy
Because silver can be recycled endlessly, it can theoretically be kept in use forever if we make sure to keep reusing it and not let it become waste. This makes it a fantastic contributor to a circular economy.
However, only around 25-30% of the global supply of silver is currently recycled rather than new. Increasing this figure would help us to limit environmental damage and harm to those involved in mining. This is why at Wild Fawn we focus on using recycled sterling silver to make new silver products that are beautiful, while being consciously made.
Recycled sterling silver jewellery from Wild Fawn
Our recycled sterling silver jewellery is made ethically in London by our all-female team. Sustainability has been at the heart of everything we do since the very beginning, and today we continue to make pieces for those who want to know that their jewellery has been made with love right here in the UK. We use ethically sourced and recycled materials to create necklaces, earrings and rings that can be worn everyday, as well as special pieces like wedding rings, engagement rings and remodelled heirlooms.
