Ethan Clarke
Tea is a beloved beverage worldwide, but many tea drinkers are unaware that their tea bags may contain plastic. In fact, a single cup of tea brewed in a plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles, posing potential health risks. This has led to a growing concern among consumers about the plastic content in tea bags and the search for plastic-free alternatives. T2 Tea, a popular brand, has faced scrutiny for the synthetic feel of its tea bags, and customers are curious to know if their tea-drinking habit comes with a plastic footprint.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic content | T2 tea bags are made from PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from corn starch. While biodegradable, they are not entirely plastic-free. |
| Environmental impact | T2 tea bags are biodegradable and compostable, contributing to natural composting processes without leaving harmful residues. |
| Sustainability | T2 tea prioritizes sustainability, with ethically sourced tea and a B Corp certification for high environmental standards. They reduced carbon emissions by 45% in 2020 and use recycled materials for their stores. |
| Packaging | T2 tea offers recyclable tea boxes, gift wrapping, shopping bags, and tissue paper. |
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What You'll Learn
T2 tea bags are made from PLA (polylactic acid)
T2 tea bags are made from polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based plastic derived from corn starch. While PLA is biodegradable, it is not correct to say that T2 tea bags are 100% plastic-free. This is because, despite being plant-based, PLA does not easily break down in a domestic compost heap. Instead, it requires higher temperatures than a typical home composting system can produce. Even in an industrial composting facility, with a consistent temperature of 58°C, it can take six months for PLA to degrade completely.
PLA lends itself to heat-sealing, which is why it is used by many tea manufacturers, including T2. A 2024 study in the Science of the Total Environment Journal found manufacturer-specific differences between tea bag brands, field decomposition, and altered reproductive output in earthworms. The study also cited evidence of the incomplete degradation of PLA, leading to the transfer of PLA microplastics into the environment in compost.
Furthermore, a 2023 study in the Journal of Hazardous Materials found that PLA bioplastic tea bags release nanoplastic particles when steeped. These particles can disrupt the gut barrier function by harming intestinal epithelial cells in an in vitro model. Another 2023 study, published in the same journal, investigated the release of polylactic acid nanoplastics from commercial tea bags. The results confirmed the presence of nanoplastics constituted by polylactic acid, with about one million nanoplastics per tea bag.
While T2 tea bags are not 100% plastic-free, the company has made efforts to improve its sustainability practices. T2 has achieved B Corp certification, which mandates high standards of social and environmental performance. The company also claims that 100% of its tea is sustainably sourced, with third-party accreditations confirming the sustainable origins of its tea.
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PLA is a bio-plastic derived from corn starch
T2 tea bags are made from corn starch and are biodegradable. They are made with PLA (polylactic acid), which is a bio-plastic derived from corn starch.
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable sources like corn or sugarcane. It is a bio-plastic that is derived from plant-based materials, typically corn starch. PLA is a viable solution with improvements to the technology in the pipeline. It is made from rapidly renewable plant starch, unlike virgin PET plastic, which is mostly made using limited fossil resources.
PLA bioplastic is certified commercially compostable but not certified home compostable. As technology evolves, there is hope that bioplastic will become a fully home compostable resource. PLA is also used in biodegradable packaging and shopping bags.
Bioplastics are derived from renewable sources, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint of construction materials. Many bioplastics are biodegradable, which helps to reduce waste and environmental pollution at the end of their lifecycle. The production of bioplastics generally requires less energy compared to conventional plastics, further reducing their environmental impact.
Bioplastics have been synthesized from plant and animal-derived fats and oils. They have comparable properties to crude oil-based materials.
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T2 tea bags are not 100% plastic-free
Indeed, upon further investigation, it was discovered that T2 tea bags are made with PLA (polylactic acid), which is a bio-plastic derived from corn starch. While this type of plastic is not sourced from fossil fuels, it is still considered a plant-based plastic and therefore does not qualify as completely plastic-free.
The use of PLA in tea bags has sparked some controversy due to the potential sourcing of the plant material from genetically modified (GM) crops. Additionally, PLA tea bags are not suitable for home composting, requiring industrial composting facilities for proper disposal. If not disposed of correctly, PLA tea bags can have the same environmental impact as conventional oil-based plastic tea bags.
It is worth noting that T2 has made efforts to improve its sustainability practices, achieving a B Corp certification in 2023, which mandates high standards for social and environmental performance. However, the presence of PLA in their tea bags indicates that T2 tea bags are not entirely free of plastic content.
As such, consumers seeking truly plastic-free tea options may need to explore alternative brands or opt for loose-leaf tea packaged in compostable or recyclable materials.
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$18
A single plastic-containing tea bag releases billions of microplastics into a cup of tea
Plastic-containing tea bags have been a concern for tea drinkers and environmentalists for years. A single plastic-containing tea bag releases billions of microplastics into a cup of tea. A 2019 Canadian study at McGill University, published in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal, revealed that steeping a plastic tea bag at a brewing temperature of 95°C releases around 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic between 100 nanometres and 5 millimetres in size. The health risks posed by ingesting microplastics from tea bags are currently being studied, with several studies already published on this topic.
Many tea brands use plastic in their tea bags to ensure the bags remain closed and keep their shape in hot water. The plastic used is typically food-grade nylon or polypropylene, an oil-based plastic that uses non-renewable fossil fuels. This type of plastic will not biodegrade in our lifetime. Tea bags made from plastic can contain about 20-30% plastic, which can leach into the tea water.
Some tea brands have made the switch to plastic-free tea bags, offering biodegradable bags made from corn starch or compostable bags made from Manilla hemp and cellulose fibres. T2 tea bags, for example, are now made from corn starch and are biodegradable. However, some tea drinkers have expressed concern over the "'nylonish' feel" of T2's tea bags, suspecting the presence of plastic. T2's website claims that their tea bags are 100% biodegradable, made from plant-based materials, and do not contain any plastic or synthetic materials.
To avoid plastic in tea bags, consumers can opt for loose-leaf tea or reusable tea bags made from natural materials. These "Tea Swags" can be filled with loose-leaf tea or herbs, steeped in hot water, and then emptied into the compost after use. For those who prefer tea bags, it is important to check the ingredients or look for certifications that confirm the tea bags are plastic-free.
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Alternatives to plastic tea bags include loose leaf tea and reusable tea bags
T2 tea bags are made from PLA (polylactic acid), a bioplastic derived from corn starch. While T2 tea bags are biodegradable and made from plant-based materials, they are not completely plastic-free.
To avoid consuming microplastics from tea bags, one can opt for loose leaf tea. Loose leaf tea offers stronger flavour and more health benefits compared to bagged tea. It utilizes whole tea leaves, fruits, herbs, and spices, allowing the full flavour and health benefits of each ingredient to be retained until they are released into your cup. Loose leaf tea also eliminates the waste generated by tea bags, strings, and staples, making it a more environmentally-friendly option.
Loose leaf tea can be used with reusable tea bags or tea filters, which serve as a DIY tea bag that can be filled with your favourite loose leaf tea. These reusable tea bags are usually made from cotton and can be cleaned with hot soapy water, making them a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to single-use tea bags.
Some tea enthusiasts prefer to invest in loose leaf tea and a strainer, eliminating the need for any type of tea bag. This combination is often recommended as the best way to enjoy tea without compromising on flavour, health benefits, or the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
No, T2 tea bags are not plastic-free. They are made with PLA (polylactic acid), which is a bio-plastic derived from corn starch.
There are many alternatives to plastic tea bags, such as compostable bags without plastic fibres or reusable tea bags that can be filled with loose-leaf tea or herbs.
Plastic tea bags can release billions of microplastics and nanoplastics into a single cup of tea, which can be harmful to health and the environment.
