That first soul-soothing sip of delicious tea is one of life's simple pleasures. But if you're working to reduce your plastic footprint, you may have gotten some not-so-chill news about those convenient little tea bags. Many are made using plastic polymers that can stick around in the environment for ages as the bags degrade.
This isn't just a minor issue. Australia's churning out 76 million tonnes of plastic waste yearly, and your daily cuppa's contributing to that mess. These tea bags aren't recyclable either - they're low-value, high-volume waste that most facilities can't process. Straight to landfill they go.
Tea bags have a sustainability problem because they use polypropylene to seal and keep their shape in hot water, which also stops tea from spilling out during transport or storage. While the amount of plastic in each bag is small and varies by brand, it adds up quickly with the millions of cups consumed daily, leading to environmental harm and potential health risks due to chemicals that can mess with our hormones.
Some tea bags are even made entirely of plastic, and when placed in hot water, they release billions of microplastics and nanoplastics into your tea, which is a big health concern for regular tea drinkers.
What’s a tea lover to do? You could go full back to basics like your nan used to do with some high-quality loose-leaf tea. Your local health food shop or bulk foods store is overflowing with premium loose-leaf varieties sold in minimal, eco-friendly packaging like paper bags or reusable tins.
But we get it - mornings can be chaotic whirlwinds of tangled hairbrushes and lost shoes. Those convenient pre-portioned tea bags are a modern necessity for busy brew lovers just trying to secure that essential caffeine fix. But don't worry, conscientious tea companies have finally wised up to consumer demand for sustainable alternatives to those plastic-laden disposable bags.
Several eco-savvy tea brands have started offering guilt-free pyramid or "pot bag" styles made from biodegradable plant-based plastic polymers like PLA. This material is derived from renewable sources like corn starch, cassava, and sugar cane instead of fossil fuels. Nerada Tea is a great example of this.
While Dilmah's classic string-and-tag tea bags regrettably contain some plastic, their premium and specialty ranges are gloriously plastic-free affairs. We're talking top-shelf pyramid bags crafted from biodegradable PLA - no shady plastic coating here, just pure indulgence! Even their luxury loose leaf ranges are sustainably packaged.
For discerning Aussie sippers seeking an exceptionally tasty AND environmentally-responsible homegrown brew, look no further than beloved local brand Madura. They've gone full eco-Extra and transitioned their entire tea bag and packaging range to use only biodegradable plant-based materials.
Big British tea titan Twinings has finally hopped the pond and embraced sustainability too. Many of their iconic bagged offerings have gone green, using plant-based biodegradable materials in place of plastics. Their Cold In'fuse range and pyramid Infusers lead the eco charge.
Every Voice Eco-Amplifies
The more us conscientious consumers speak up about kicking gross plastic habits to the curb, the louder brands will hear our eco-call. When you're restocking your tea supplies, why not ping a friendly email to companies asking about their latest sustainable packaging moves and plastic reduction efforts? A little fan feedback can go a loooong way.
Here’s an easy template to copy and paste and send their way.
Subject: Requesting More Sustainable Tea Bag Options
Dear [Tea Brand Name],
I'm writing as one of your valued customers who purchase [name your favourite teas from them] on a regular basis. I truly enjoy your brand and look forward to my daily cup of tea as part of my ritual.
Recently, I've become more aware of the environmental issues surrounding traditional tea bags containing plastic materials like polypropylene. As these non-biodegradable bags break down, they can release plastic particles into soil and waterways, which is problematic for eco-conscious consumers like myself.
Tea drinking is an important daily ritual for me and so many others seeking moments of tranquillity. Having more sustainable packaging options would mean so much to your environmentally-conscious customer base. We're happy to support companies making genuine efforts to solve environmental issues.
Thank you for your consideration on this important matter. I look forward to seeing what sustainability initiatives [Brand Name] will implement in the future.
Regards,
[Your name]
