However, many consumers are taking offense to the use of plastic tea bags. They're concerned about the environmental impact, as well as the possibility of getting sick from drinking too much plastic.
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Paper
Traditional medicinal tea bags are traditionally made from paper, which is a renewable resource that will decompose when added to a compost pile. The tea will also release its active ingredients into the soil.
In addition to using paper, some brands make their teabags from plant-based materials like polylactic acid (PLA), which is biodegradable and can be composted at industrial compost facilities. These compostable and biodegradable bags are a great option for those who want to use less plastic in their life.
They don’t need to be buried in the ground, as they will quickly decompose in your backyard compost bin or at an industrial compost facility. The bag will break down in around 3 to 6 months, depending on the composting process and your local soil composition.
Many brands are making a move towards using more sustainable materials for their tea bags, and some have gone completely plastic-free. This includes Tazo, Teavana, Peets, Starbucks, Celestial Seasonings, and Tetley.
Traditional Medicinals is committed to producing high-quality herbal teas, and their teabags are one of the few that are 100% compostable. They have been working to make this goal a reality since 1995.
The company works hard to reduce their environmental footprint by sourcing primarily organic plants, purchasing carbon offsets, and donating discontinued or near-expiring products to organizations that promote sustainability. They use energy-efficient production methods and are constantly evaluating their supply chain, with a focus on reducing waste.
They also work with their suppliers and partners to promote fair trade and ensure safe and sustainable practices. For example, they have worked to transition almost all of their wild-collected herbs to USDA Certified Organic standards.
Higher Living Teas makes their teabags from unbleached paper with organic cotton string stitched into it, and they are fully compostable. Their packaging boxes are also recyclable.
Pukka Herbs is another brand that creates its teabags from unbleached paper, using organic cotton string to hold the bags together without the need for staples or polypropylene. They also make their teabag overwraps from organic, reusable cotton.
Numi is another company that uses manila hemp and cellulose fibres to create their tea bags, which are completely biodegradable. They don’t contain any polypropylene, and will break down in about 12 weeks if you put them in your food waste collection.
Cotton
Are traditional medicinal tea bags compostable?
Using paper or cotton for tea bags is a great way to keep the tea leaves contained while steeping and make them biodegradable. Some brands have started to move away from plastic and use materials like hemp, which is naturally biodegradable.
While many traditional medicinal tea bags are made from a polymer called nylon, they will not break down in the composting process. This can create problems with the compost bin and ultimately lead to landfill waste.
If you want to use a more eco-friendly alternative for your tea, try a reusable metal loose leaf infuser. This will not leech plastic into your tea water and can be used for years. It is also more durable and longer-lasting than other options, so it's a good choice for anyone who's looking for an environmentally friendly alternative.
Another sustainable option is to find tea bags that are made from natural fibers, such as cellulose. These can be found in a variety of brands, including Numi Organic Tea and Lipton.
They are biodegradable and have been shown to be a good alternative for the traditional tea bags that are made of polypropylene and other plastics. These are a little harder to find and cost more, but they are worth it.
Some brands have taken the sustainability of their tea bag Compostable Packaging a step further by using a new material called NatureFlex, which is made from wood pulp and is 100% suitable for home composting. This is a game-changing material that can be found in the tea bags of brands like Tielka and Lipton.
These companies have been working hard to improve their sustainability and corporate social responsibility programs. They are certified B Corporation, have received awards for their efforts to reduce waste, and have a strong commitment to sourcing ingredients from fair trade communities.
In the Philippines, where Traditional Medicinals sources its teas, they have been working with small-production family farmers for over three decades. This is a great example of a company that values their relationships with the supply community and is working to build long-term sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.
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Nylon
Tea bags are traditionally made from a paper or plastic material that contains a mesh that is used to steep tea. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including round, square, rectangular and even pyramids.
Typically, they are heat-sealed to keep their shape in hot water. They are usually a combination of paper and a thermoplastic polymer to seal them shut.
This polymer is usually either nylon or polypropylene and it is added in small amounts to help make the tea bag stay closed. These plastics have high melting points and are considered food safe. However, studies have shown that they can leach compounds into your tea when it is steeped in hot water.
Some of these tea bags may also contain epichlorohydrin, an epoxide resin that can cause cancer in humans when it is in contact with water. It is also sometimes added to tea bags to improve their "wet strength" and can hydrolyse into 3-MCPD, a known carcinogen that can weaken the immune system.
A number of companies have begun to replace these traditional tea bags with plastic-free alternatives. The company Natureflex, for example, uses a synthetic fibre that is completely suitable for home composting.
Another alternative is a plant-based plastic called polylactic acid (PLA). This substance is derived from corn starch and is non-toxic.
PLA is biodegradable and will decompose in a commercial composting facility (not at home). In addition, it does not release microplastics into your tea like traditional polypropylene-based plastics do.
Some of the best traditional medicinal tea brands are using biodegradable and/or compostable materials for their tea bags. Some of these include Yogi, Madura and Nerada.
Other brands, such as Rishi, are using PLA tea bags that are sourced from Japan and fully biodegradable. In addition, they use a cotton string and a printed paper tag and they are heat-sealed.
They are also committed to being an ethical and sustainable brand and are Non-GMO Project Verified. They also support farmers and their families in the developing world, and are committed to providing a living wage for the workers who produce them.
Other Materials
Traditional medicinal tea bags are made of a variety of materials, including paper and cotton. These materials can be composted and are a better alternative to plastic tea bags.
Some companies use other materials to make their tea bags, such as cornstarch and abaca. These materials are a good choice for the environment, as they can be composted and break down easily.
Yogi tea uses a mix of manila hemp fibers and wood pulp for its tea compostable bags. They also bleach their filtration paper with oxygen and do not use any chemical paper bleaching.
The company’s tea bags are heat-sealed to keep the tea fresh and prevent it from leaking. They also use vegetable-based inks and are printed on 100% recycled paperboard.
Hampstead Tea uses GM-free sugar starch to make their tea pyramids, which are biodegradable and turn into compost in 91 days. They are also free of string, tags and labels.
Waitrose’s Duchy range of tea bags is also plastic-free and biodegradable, and the inner packaging is compostable. The Brew Tea Company’s teabags are also made of a natural material and contain no string or tags.
Other traditional medicinal tea bag manufacturers use other materials, such as cornstarch and abaca, for their products. These materials are a good choice for people who want to be environmentally conscious.
Abaca is a tough yet biodegradable material that is extracted from banana leaves and is used in a variety of products. It can be used to make paper, bags, and even bank notes.
Some companies also use other materials to make their tea bags, including polylactic acid (PLA). These teabags are considered organic and are compostable. However, PLA is an industrial compostable material and will not decompose in a home composter.
Nylon is another synthetic material that does not break down in the composting process. Nylon teabags are not compostable and will create problems for the composting process.
The most important thing to remember when choosing a teabag is that it should be made of a material that can be composted. If it does not, then it should be discarded in the trash.
