Plastic Free Tea Bags in UK 2020

Do you know most tea bags contains around 25% plastic?

American Chemical Society’s Journal of Environmental Science and Technology submitted a report that a single tea bag releases about 11.6 million minuscule particles also known as Microplastics.

There are lot of foods which contains these type of microplastics but the amount of microplastics in teabag is a LOT.

For the solution of the issue, we came across Plastic Free Tea Bags. These are either made of paper or corn starch and mostly are compostable. So these plastic free tea bags are a safe alternatives to regular tea bag we usually consume.

Read – Biodegradable & Compostable Trash Bags

When we dig in to the Tea bags without Plastic, we come to know that we have two eco-friendly options available.

The first one is to buy ready made compostable plastic free tea bags and use them as they are. The other solution is to buy an organic loose tea pack and brew them in a reusable and refillable compostable bags.

WHY IS THERE PLASTIC IN A TEA BAG?

A lot of tea is consumed worldwide daily and most of the tea brands use plastic to secure tea in the tea bag. This consumption of millions of tea bags add up a lot of plastic endangering the planet earth and its eco system.

Now the question arises, why do tea manufacturers use plastic in tea bag?

Actually to seal the tea in the bag and ensure their shape in hot liquid, tea manufacturers use a plastic polymer known as polypropylene. Though the amount of plastic used is quite negligible, it adds up to become huge considering the consumption of tea bags globally.

Regular tea bags practically never decompose completely. Not only it is a burden on Environment, polypropylene is said to affect human endocrine system which lead to a a lot of chronic health conditions. So its better to switch to plastic free tea bags and make use of food waste while throwing.

While it seems easy to switch to plastic free tea bags solution, most tea manufacturers won’t let that happen as they claim it would be too costly to manufacture non-plastic bags for tea.

Best Regular Tea Bag Alternatives 

(Compostable Plastic Free Tea bags)

So without any further ado, let’s dive in to see some of the best plastic free and environmental friendly tea bags available in the market.

Traditional Medicinals Compostable Plastic Free Tea bags

Traditional Medicinals is proud to list their powerful herbal teas with over 50 different flavors. Their tea bag is made of organic and sustainable abaca which is also commonly known as Manila hemp and FSC cerified wood pulp only. The tea bags are compostable and non-GMO certified too. They are plastic free and any content of gluten or other chemicals.

The tea bags are free from bleach and other harmful chemicals. They are treated with eco friendly and non toxic cleaning process. By using oxygen and peroxide to remove plant resins and wood pulp fibers, they ensure the tea bags are clean.

All of their tea bags are individually wrapped and sealed to ensure the essence of the tea. It is only done to prevent deterioration of herbal ingredients and to save them from exposure of light and humidity too.

The best part is that their tea is made from highest quality botanical ingredients directly from herbs. The tea and the tea bags are organic and USDA Organic certified.

We have read and analyzed hundreds of reviews and only heard good things about them. You get a lot of health benefits with an outstanding taste and doesn’t feel guilty consuming plastic tea bags.

PROS

• Variety of Tea Flavors offered
• Sustainably sourced from fertile herbs of Egypt’s Neil Valley.
• Great Fragrant Taste and Flavor
• Multiple health benefits
• Completely Organic and NON-GMO Tea and Tea bags.
• Caffeine Free
• Compostable and Plant Based Tea Bags

CONS

Some people couldn’t feel the flavor. (Light flavor tone)

Clipper Organic Everyday Plastic Free Tea Bags

Clipper is a British brand that is committed to providing you delicious teas that are delightful in every way. They evaluate everything, from the sourcing of all of their ingredients to the way they blend and pack it.

The packing material used for these tea bags is free from plastic or any chemical. This tea bag is unbleached and GM-free. Clipper everyday organic tea has become the UK’s 1st Fairtrade tea brand and masters the very top unbleached tea bag brands and can be thrown in food waste as its compostable.

 Clipper Organic Everyday Tea is a beautifully rich, full-bodied blend from some of the world’s finest organic tea gardens of India, Srilanka, and East Africa. This organic product is cultivated in a way that protects the natural equilibrium of the environment and will help nurture people, wildlife, and the land for the future.

It contains the highest quality, natural ingredients, nothing artificial is used in its making. Caffeine is present in this organic tea. You just need some pure water to enjoy the perfect cup of this tea. No wonder Clipper Organic Everyday Tea tastes so nice.

PROS

● Unbleached and plastic free tea Bags of Everyday Organic Tea

● Totally Organic

● Natural, pleasing & delicious

● Plant Based & Plastic free tea bags

● A seriously moreish mix

CONS

● Caffeine may be unacceptable to some users.

● Limited flavors are available.

Teatulia Earl Grey Silk Pyramid Plastic Free Tea bags

Teatulia Earl Grey Silk Pyramid Tea bag is a rich, full-bodied tonic with a finish that is a vitalizing drink to drink down any time of the day. The pack contains 50 plant based pyramid teabags, each restored with 2 grams of whole leaf tea. These Pyramid tea bags allow extra space for leaves to imbue, giving rise to more flavor into each sip.

 Drink this tea hot or cold for an invigorating luscious and rejuvenating frill. This Earl Grey Tea produces a soft citrus aroma & a splash of the neatest Bergamot Citrus taste.

 The Earl Grey pyramid tea bag has the following features:

 Ingredients: Black Tea & Bergamot Citrus

 Dry Leaves: Medium-sized leaves.

 Aroma: Mild citrus.

 Color: Golden red.

 Caffeine content: About half of the caffeine in a cup of coffee.

 This premium herbal tea is available in eco-friendly packing which not only looks good but tastes great as well. Earl tea is 100% organic tea, direct from gardens in Bangladesh,handpicked by locals.

These teabags are USDA organic certified. They come in environmentally responsible packaging, made from compostable materials not containing any micro-plastic and can be dumped in food waste bin

PROS

● The pyramid shape enhances the flavor of the tea.

● Natural and plant based

● Have antioxidants that boost health and immunity.

CONS

● Over intake of bergamot may cause muscle cramps.

Hampstead Whole Leaf Tea Compostable Tea bag

 Hampstead Whole Leaf Tea Compostable Teabags offers a wide assortment of tiny tea bags which all comprise the nicest whole leaf Tea. With all the flavor, Nutrients & aromas retained into the leaf.

Hampstead Tea conveys a deeper and more flavorsome identity to your daily cup of freshness. Hampstead tea is gluten-free, organically certified, and Demeter certified. This tea is desirable for vegans. These teabags do not contain dust but possess broken tea leaves, which are larger fragments of the leaves. Hampstead tea always seeks for purity in their source.

 Teabags are made from GM-free sugar starch, along with the compostable pouch that holds the tea bag. All the components in the tea are organic or biodynamic and no chemicals are used in making.

There is no thread or labels on the teabags and it comes with a small handy bamboo tong to clench your bag out, perfect when you don’t have a spoon. There are five flavors available in the range. This is a great tasting tea packed in eco-friendly materials and can be thrown in food waste or compost bin.

 PROS

● Provide various health benefits in various conditions.

● Taste is not affected by soaking at high temperatures.

CONS

● It is expensive.

Twining Loose Leaf Pyramid Tea Bag

Twining Loose Leaf Pyramid Tea Bag is in the form of pyramids. These tea bags are fabricated with a paper by sealing it from the bottom and stitching it from the top by using cotton thread.

The materials used in twining tea bag is made up of cellulose fibers with the grace of an acrylic polymer binder which makes the paper design teabags. Moreover, their boxes can be recycled. It is caffeine-free and completely natural.

These tea bags are tied and sealed in such a manner to shelter the herbal ingredients from exposure to light, humidity, and also from degeneration. The ingredients of Twining Tea provide the taste that a true tea lover wants. This tea is ideal for regular drinkers and a real asset to any kitchen, cafe, and office. It comes in 8 different flavors for tea lovers. 

Pros

● Use natural herbs and plant based

● Non-plastic disposable tea bag

● Boxes can be recycled

● Easy to make

Cons

● Having a thin layer of plastic on the tea bag

Plastic Free Tea Bags – Verdict

Many tea making companies around the globe are paying their contribution to eliminating the plastic from the environment by making plastic free tea bags that can be thrown easily in food waste or waste bin. You can also contribute to this cause by using plastic free tea bags and saying “NO” to the regular tea bags.

Every company has its own specific features that make them distinct from each other. By keeping in view all the features of all the companies, I have come to the point that the best plastic free tea bag is the Traditional Medicinals Compostable Plastic free tea bag because of its quality, flavor variety, and health benefits; also it is free from plastic, gluten or any kind of chemicals. These tea bags are disposable and non- GMO certified.