Sofia Martinez
Tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide, with 60.2 billion cups consumed annually. However, many traditional tea bags contain plastic, such as polypropylene, used to seal the bags and maintain their shape. This has raised concerns about the contamination of food and water sources with microplastics, as well as the negative health effects of polypropylene on the endocrine system. In response, several tea brands in New Zealand have made the switch to plastic-free tea bags, opting for biodegradable and compostable materials like corn starch, abaca, and polylactic acid (PLA). These eco-friendly alternatives are gaining popularity due to their sustainability and reduced environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic-free tea bag brands | Pukka Herbs, Clipper, Qi Tea, Stash Tea, Teapigs, Higher Living, Abel & Cole, PG Tips, NEMI Tea, Good and Proper Tea, Lyons, T2, T-Leaf, Ti Ora, Zealong, Twinings |
| Tea bag materials | Maize or corn starch, abaca, polylactic acid (PLA), cotton, paper, plant cellulose, banana plant fiber, wood pulp, hemp, natural plant fibers, biopolymer |
| Plastic types | Polypropylene, nylon, PET, BPA-free PET, nylon mesh, acrylic polymer binder |
| Plastic uses | Heat sealing, keeping shape, preventing tea from escaping |
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What You'll Learn
Teabag materials: natural fibres vs. plastic
Plastic-free tea bags are usually made from natural fibres, such as corn starch, abaca (a type of banana), wood pulp, cotton, and plant cellulose fibres. These materials are biodegradable and compostable, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional tea bags. Natural fibres are also safer for human health, as synthetic fibres can release small pieces of plastic and harmful chemicals into your drink.
Some popular brands that offer plastic-free tea bags include Higher Living, which uses unbleached paper with an organic cotton string, and Qi Tea, whose tea bags are made from plant fibres, are natural in colour, glue-free, and staple-free. Stash Tea bags are made from 100% cellulose fibres (wood) and are also completely compostable. Teapigs tea bags are made from corn starch and paper and are industrially compostable within 12 weeks.
On the other hand, traditional tea bags are often sealed with polypropylene, a type of plastic that can release harmful chemicals into your drink. Pyramid tea bags can be made of nylon or PET plastic, which gives them a fine and silky appearance. These materials are tough and useful for mass production, but they can also melt into your drink when hot water is poured over them.
Some tea brands that use plastic in their tea bags include Twinings, which uses poly-lactic acid (PLA), cellulose, or a mixture of cellulose and an acrylic polymer binder, and Dilmah, which uses a blend of abaca, wood pulp, and natural cellulose, sealed with polypropylene. Choysa tea bags are made from cellulose and sealed with a thermoplastic, and Healtheries' tea bags are made from plant matter and sealed with polypropylene.
While some plastic-based materials like PLA are plant-based and biodegradable, they require higher temperatures than a domestic composting system can produce to fully degrade. Therefore, it is important to consider the environmental impact of the different materials used in tea bags and opt for natural fibres when possible.
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Plastic used to seal teabags
Plastic is commonly used to seal teabags. While some teabags are sealed using glue or stitching, many teabag producers (including organic brands) choose to use polypropylene, a type of plastic, to seal their teabags. Polypropylene is woven in between the paper fibres and melts upon heating to seal the teabag shut. Typically, these teabags contain 20-30% polypropylene, although some contain as little as 2%. Other plastics used to seal teabags include polyethylene, polyethylene co-polymer, and nylon.
Some manufacturers are working to eliminate plastic from their teabags. For example, Pukka uses organic cotton stitched into paper to form the bag, with no plastic. Qi Tea also uses organic cotton to seal its plastic-free tea bags. Other plastic-free sealing methods include using aluminium staples, which are non-toxic, or simply folding the filter paper several times.
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Plastic-free teabag alternatives
Compostable and Biodegradable Tea Bags
Some companies offer tea bags that are fully compostable and biodegradable, ensuring that consumers can dispose of the bags in their food waste bins or compost heaps. For example, Stash Tea bags are made from 100% cellulose fibres (wood) and are machine-folded and pressed, eliminating the need for glue or plastic. Similarly, Teapigs tea bags are made from corn starch and paper and break down within 12 weeks in industrial composting.
Plant-Based Materials
Many tea brands are now using plant-based materials instead of plastic to seal their tea bags. These materials function in the same way as polypropylene but are much more environmentally friendly. For instance, NEMI Tea uses Polylactic Acid (PLA) mesh derived from 100% non-GMO sugarcane to create fully biodegradable pyramid tea bags. Their tea bags are ultrasonically sealed, removing the need for heat or glue, and ensuring a completely plastic-free product. Abel & Cole also offers tea bags made from SoilOn, a corn-starch which incorporates polylactic acid from plants, making them fully biodegradable and glue-free.
Organic Cotton Stitching
Some tea companies, such as Pukka Herbs, are using organic cotton stitching instead of staples or polypropylene to secure their tea bags. Their tea bag paper is made from natural abaca (a type of banana plant fibre), wood pulp, and plant cellulose, making their tea bags fully home-compostable. Pukka Herbs was also the first company to introduce 100% organic, non-GMO cotton strings to secure their tea bags, eliminating the need for synthetic materials.
Loose-Leaf Tea
A simple way to avoid plastic tea bags is to opt for loose-leaf tea. This option may even save you money, as some loose-leaf teas are cheaper than their bagged counterparts. For example, Dilmah, T2, T Leaf, and Zealong offer loose-leaf tea at a lower price than their bagged tea.
Bioplastic Tea Bags
Bioplastic tea bags are another alternative to traditional plastic tea bags. These tea bags are made from maize or corn starch and function in a similar way to polypropylene. However, it is important to note that bioplastic can also come from genetically modified (GMO) maize, so it is essential to choose organic options to avoid this.
The shift towards plastic-free tea bags is a positive step towards more sustainable tea consumption. Consumers now have a variety of eco-friendly alternatives to choose from, ensuring that their tea breaks are not only enjoyable but also environmentally conscious.
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Eco-friendly packaging
Plastic-free tea bags are a more sustainable option than traditional tea bags. They are less likely to release microplastics into water and are more biodegradable and compostable. Many tea bags contain plastic, such as polypropylene, which is used to seal the bags and keep them in shape when placed in hot liquid. This plastic can leech into the ground and harm the environment, and also has negative effects on the human endocrine system.
Some brands offering plastic-free tea bags with eco-friendly packaging include Pukka Herbs, Clipper, PG Tips, Abel & Cole, NEMI Tea, and Good and Proper Tea. Pukka Herbs uses organic cotton stitching instead of staples or polypropylene, and their tea bags are fully home-compostable. Clipper tea bags are made from natural plant-based fibers, including abaca and biopolymer, and the company has phased out polypropylene. PG Tips tea bags are 100% biodegradable and made from a plant-based material. Abel & Cole tea bags are made from SoilOn, a corn-starch which incorporates biomass material, and their packaging is made from paper and biodegradable PE. NEMI Tea's pyramid tea bags are made from polylactic acid (PLA) mesh derived from 100% non-GMO sugarcane, and their packaging is made from NatureFlex, a renewable and compostable wood pulp. Good and Proper Tea's tea bags are made from Soilon, a plant-based corn starch material, and are fully compostable.
To ensure that your tea bags are eco-friendly, look for those that are plastic-free, biodegradable, and compostable. You can also ask manufacturers to use plastic-free paper that lends itself to heat-sealing, or to secure the bag by sewing, crimping, or folding.
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Composting teabags
Composting tea bags can be a great way to reduce waste and enrich your soil. However, it is important to be mindful of the materials used in tea bags, as some may contain plastic or other non-compostable materials.
Firstly, let's discuss the types of tea bags that are generally considered safe for composting. Tea bags made from natural fibres, such as abaca (a plant similar to banana), wood pulp, plant cellulose, or cotton, are good options for composting. These materials are biodegradable and will break down into organic matter over time. Some tea bags are also made from silk or vegetable-based pulp and sealed with cotton-based stitching, which can compost well and leave little to no trace.
On the other hand, it is important to avoid tea bags that contain plastic, as this can contribute to microplastic pollution in your soil. Plastic is often used to heat-seal tea bags and can come in the form of polypropylene, nylon, or PET. Even if a tea bag is marketed as ""biodegradable" or "compostable," it may still contain plastic. For example, polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based material, is sometimes used in tea bags, but it requires higher temperatures than a typical home composting system can achieve for complete degradation. So, when choosing tea bags for composting, always check the ingredients and look for plastic-free options.
When composting tea bags, it is recommended to remove any non-compostable elements, such as staples, strings, or tags. You can tear the tea bag into smaller pieces to expose more surface area to the composting process. Drying the tea bags completely before composting can make it easier to remove the tea leaves and fully utilise the bags.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that tea leaves themselves are an excellent addition to your compost pile. They can enrich your soil and provide beneficial nutrients for your plants. However, if you are unsure about the compostability of a tea bag, it is best to err on the side of caution and opt for composting just the tea leaves.
In summary, composting tea bags can be beneficial, but it is crucial to select the right type of tea bags and ensure they are free from plastic and other non-compostable materials. By following these guidelines, you can confidently compost your tea bags and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
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Frequently asked questions
Pukka Herbs, Clipper, PG Tips, Abel & Cole, NEMI Tea, and Good and Proper Tea are some brands that offer plastic-free tea bags.
Plastic-free tea bags are usually sealed using a bioplastic made from corn or maize starch, or stitched with organic cotton. They are fully biodegradable and compostable, and do not contain any polypropylene or other plastics.
Plastic-free tea bags are more environmentally friendly as they do not release microplastics into water and are fully biodegradable. They are also safer for human health, as polypropylene can negatively impact the endocrine system.
Tea bags that are heat-sealed or have a shiny coating are likely to contain plastic. Plastic is often used to seal tea bags and keep their shape, so if your tea bag has a very thin film, it may contain plastic. Pyramid tea bags may also be made of nylon or PET.
Healtheries in New Zealand has removed all plastic and synthetic fibres, bleach, glue, and staples from their tea bags and packaging. Their tea bags are now made from natural plant-based fibres and are packed in a double chamber tea bag.
