Sofia Martinez
Tea is the most consumed beverage in the UK, with nine billion PG Tips tea bags sold every year. In 2018, PG Tips announced that it would switch to plastic-free, fully biodegradable tea bags. Previously, PG Tips tea bags were mostly made of paper but used polypropylene plastic to seal the bags, which takes a long time to break down. The new tea bags are made from plant-based materials and are fully biodegradable. This move is part of a growing movement towards more sustainable and eco-friendly tea bags, as many traditional tea bags contain plastic that can contaminate food and water sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do PG Tips teabags contain plastic? | As of 2018, PG Tips switched to plastic-free, fully biodegradable teabags. |
| Previous plastic composition | A small amount of polypropylene plastic was used to seal the bag. |
| Replacement material | Corn starch |
| Other brands with plastic teabags | Tetley, Yorkshire Tea, and Twinings |
| Other brands with plastic-free teabags | Co-op, Lidl, Clipper |
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What You'll Learn
PG Tips tea bags were previously made with plastic
Before this switch, PG Tips tea bags were mostly made with paper, but they did contain a small amount of polypropylene plastic. This plastic was used to seal the bags and ensure they held their shape. However, polypropylene takes a long time to break down, contributing to plastic waste and contaminating food waste compost.
The new PG Tips tea bags are made from a plant-based material that is 100% renewable and biodegradable. This material, known as PLA, is derived from corn starch or other plant sources. It is important to note that while PLA is marketed as a "'plant-based' alternative, some consider it a form of bioplastic, and evidence suggests that it can be just as harmful as conventional plastics when it breaks down into microplastics.
The switch to biodegradable tea bags was initially announced for the PG Tips pyramid tea bags, with other tea bag types following suit by the end of 2018. This change positioned PG Tips as a leader in sustainability among mainstream tea brands, and the company continues to explore ways to minimise its environmental impact.
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The company has switched to plastic-free, biodegradable tea bags
PG Tips has moved to entirely biodegradable and plant-based tea bags. The company has switched to plastic-free, biodegradable tea bags, with the first eco-friendly pyramid tea bags going on sale in 2018, followed by the rest of the range later that year. This was a significant move by a mainstream tea brand, with PG Tips being the UK's biggest tea company. The new tea bags are made from plant-based materials that are 100% renewable and biodegradable, and they are free of polypropylene, a sealant used across the industry to ensure bags hold their shape.
The switch to biodegradable tea bags is part of the company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Noel Clarke, vice president of refreshment at Unilever, stated that the new tea bags maintain "the same great taste of our tea whilst minimising our environmental impact." Previously, a small amount of polypropylene plastic was used to seal PG Tips tea bags, which took a long time to break down. The new replacement material is made from corn starch, making the tea bags fully biodegradable.
The issue of plastic in tea bags has gained attention in recent years, with studies highlighting the health and environmental risks posed by microplastics in tea bags. Tea is one of the most popular beverages globally, and in the UK, tea bags account for 96% of the 165 million cups of tea consumed daily. The switch to plastic-free tea bags by PG Tips and other brands is a positive step towards reducing plastic pollution and providing consumers with more sustainable options.
While PG Tips has made progress in terms of biodegradability, it is worth noting that the term "plant-based plastic" has been criticised as a form of greenwashing. Some argue that plant-based microplastics can be just as harmful as conventional plastics, and the term "plant-based" may not always reflect the true environmental impact of the material. However, overall, the switch to biodegradable tea bags by PG Tips is a welcome change that addresses consumer concerns about plastic waste and environmental sustainability.
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The new tea bags are made from plant-based material
PG Tips tea bags used to be made mostly of paper, but a small amount of polypropylene plastic was used to seal the bag. This plastic takes a long time to break down and can contaminate food waste compost collections or end up in landfills.
In 2018, PG Tips announced that they would be switching to plastic-free, fully biodegradable tea bags. The new tea bags are made from 100% plant-based material from a renewable source that is fully biodegradable. The plant-based material is made from corn starch, and the first eco-friendly pyramid tea bags went on sale in UK supermarkets, with the company's other tea bags set to follow suit by the end of 2018.
This move towards plant-based tea bags is part of PG Tips' effort to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining the same great taste of their tea. The company is owned by Unilever, whose scientists have been exploring plant-based alternatives for some time and have already converted ranges in Canada, Poland, and Indonesia.
While PG Tips has made a significant step towards sustainability, it's important to note that not all plant-based materials are equal. Some sources suggest that plant-based plastics like PLA (polylactic acid) can be just as harmful as conventional plastics. However, PLA is still a popular choice for many tea bag brands, including Lidl and Aldi, as it is biodegradable and compostable.
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The switch is part of a movement towards eco-friendly tea bags
PG Tips tea bags used to contain a small amount of polypropylene plastic to seal the bags. However, in 2018, the company announced that it would be switching to plastic-free, fully biodegradable tea bags made from plant-based materials. This move is part of a growing movement towards more sustainable and eco-friendly tea bags.
Many traditional tea bags contain plastic, such as polypropylene, which is used as a sealant to ensure the bags hold their shape. This plastic can break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, which can contaminate food and water sources. There are health concerns associated with the consumption of microplastics and nanoplastics, and they can also have a negative impact on the environment.
In response to these concerns, many companies have started to transition to plastic-free tea bags. For example, the Co-op has phased out tea bags containing polypropylene and transitioned to compostable bioplastic (PLA). Lidl's own-brand tea bags are also completely biodegradable and made from polylactic acid (PLA). ALDI has removed single-use plastic from its own-brand tea bags, and Asda has introduced plant-based packaging derived from corn starch for its tea bags.
While some companies have switched to PLA, there are concerns that plant-based plastics are a form of greenwashing, as evidence suggests that plant-based microplastics can be just as harmful as conventional plastics. Nevertheless, the movement towards eco-friendly tea bags is a positive step towards reducing plastic pollution and minimizing the environmental impact of tea consumption.
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Other tea brands are also making the switch
PG Tips tea bags were previously made mostly with paper but used a small amount of polypropylene plastic to seal the bag. However, in 2018, the brand switched to entirely biodegradable and plant-based tea bags, with the replacement material being made from corn starch.
Many tea manufacturers that previously used plastic in their filter bags are now transitioning to polylactic acid (PLA)-based materials. PLA is a bioplastic created from maize or corn starch that functions in the same way as polypropylene. Tea brands such as Clipper, Co-op, and Lidl have switched to using PLA in their tea bags. Co-op has phased out tea bags containing polypropylene and transitioned to compostable bioplastic PLA for all its own-brand tea, including Fairtrade Red 99 tea, fruit tea, and infusions. Lidl's own-brand tea bags are completely biodegradable and made from PLA, with the brand stating that the vast majority of their tea bags are biodegradable, with just 1-2% of non-biodegradable polymers present in their round tea bags.
Some tea brands have also introduced plant-based packaging derived from corn starch for their tea bags. ALDI's own-brand tea bags are biodegradable and made from industrially compostable PLA, with the brand working to reduce the amount of plastic and packaging used. Similarly, Asda has introduced plant-based packaging derived from corn starch for its tea bags, allowing them to be used in food waste bins.
Other tea brands offering plastic-free tea bags include Qi Tea, whose tea bags are made from unbleached paper with organic cotton string and are completely plastic-free, with recyclable and compostable packaging. Pukka Herbs tea bags are also free from plastics and held together with organic cotton that is fully compostable. Barry's Tea has also transitioned to biodegradable tea bags for its black tea range, with all fruit, herbal, and green teas now available in biodegradable tea bags.
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Frequently asked questions
No, PG Tips switched to plastic-free, fully biodegradable teabags in 2018.
PG Tips teabags are now made from plant-based material that is 100% renewable and biodegradable.
Before the switch, PG Tips teabags were mostly made with paper but used polypropylene plastic to seal the bag.
PG Tips switched to plastic-free teabags to cut down on plastic pollution caused by the UK's favourite hot drink.
Yes, other tea brands such as Tetley, Yorkshire Tea, and Twinings have confirmed that their teabags contain polypropylene. However, some brands like Co-op and Lidl have transitioned to compostable bioplastics.
