Lyla Lindsey
Tea bags are often made with plastic, which can release billions of microplastics into your tea when steeped in hot water. This has sparked concerns about the health and environmental implications of using plastic tea bags. As a result, some tea manufacturers have started offering plastic-free and biodegradable tea bags made from materials like paper, corn starch, and plant-based fibres. In Australia, several tea brands provide plastic-free options, and consumers can also choose to use loose-leaf tea or reusable tea infusers as alternatives to traditional tea bags.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in tea bags | Plastic is added to tea bags to bind the fibres of the bag together, to heat seal the bag, and to keep the bag sealed while in hot water. |
| Health risks | Microplastics from tea bags can leech into the ground and cause harm to the environment. Polypropylene has a negative effect on the body's endocrine system and can cause other health issues. |
| Plastic-free tea bags | Tea brands such as Clipper, Abel & Cole, PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea, Lipton Cold Brew, Pukka, Dilmah, Nature's Cuppa, and Barry's Tea offer plastic-free tea bags made from biodegradable and compostable materials like paper, corn starch, and plant fibres. |
| Alternatives | Reusable tea bags, loose leaf tea, and cloth-based tea bags are alternatives to plastic tea bags. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic tea bags release billions of microplastics into tea
Another study by researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain also found that tea bags made from nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose released billions of micro- and nanoplastic particles when steeped in boiling water. These particles are then ingested by the drinker.
The presence of microplastics in tea bags is a concern for tea drinkers, especially those who consume tea daily. While the World Health Organization (WHO) states that microplastics in drinking water do not pose a health risk at current levels, there is ongoing research to investigate the potential health impacts of microplastics on the human body. Some studies suggest that microplastics can affect the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, and even cause infertility and miscarriage.
To address this issue, consumers can choose loose-leaf tea or tea sold without packaging. There are also biodegradable tea bag options made from plant-based materials like corn starch, abaca, and polylactic acid (PLA). Some tea brands have already transitioned to biodegradable and compostable tea bags, offering environmentally friendly choices to consumers.
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Health risks of microplastics in tea bags
Tea bags have traditionally been made from paper (from plant fibres like cellulose, wood and hemp) and flexible plastics (like nylon and polypropylene). However, a growing number of tea drinkers are becoming concerned about the presence of plastic in their tea bags and its potential health risks.
A 2019 study found that a single plastic tea bag releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup of tea. Another study from 2024 found that tea bags made from polypropylene released about 1.2 billion small plastic pieces per millilitre of tea. These plastics can be harmful to human health, especially when considering that tea is often brewed at temperatures exceeding 40°C, which can cause even ''food grade' plastics to break down and release harmful materials.
The health consequences of ingesting microplastics are still unclear, and while there is no evidence of direct toxicity, there are early warning signs from studies on other species, including algae, zooplankton, fish, and mice. Furthermore, the European Union has classified more than 20% of the thousands of plastic compounds in use today as being of concern due to their persistence, accumulation in human fatty tissues, and/or toxicity. Potential health risks associated with these plastic compounds include endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer risk, metabolic and nutritional problems, and interference with neurodevelopment.
To avoid the potential health risks associated with microplastics in tea bags, tea drinkers can switch to loose-leaf tea prepared in a glass, metal, or ceramic strainer, or opt for tea brands that offer plastic-free and biodegradable tea bags.
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Plastic-free tea bag options
Plastic-free tea bags are usually sealed with bioplastics made from corn or maize starch, or polylactic acid (PLA). These bags are more biodegradable and compostable than traditional tea bags.
- Nature's Cuppa Organic tea bags are made from unbleached paper, sourced from trees grown specifically for tea bag production in northern Europe. They are certified organic by the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA) and the USDA NOP (Control Union Certification). Nature's Cuppa tea bags are closed with a metal staple.
- Pukka is famous for its herbal teas. Its tea bags are folded and stitched together with organic cotton and a unique folding process, making them plastic-free and compostable.
- Abel & Cole tea bags are made from SoilOn, a corn starch that incorporates polylactic acid from plants. They are completely biodegradable and glue-free, sealed together with heat. The packaging is also made from paper and biodegradable PE.
- PG Tips tea bags are 100% biodegradable and made from plant-based materials.
- Lipton Cold Brew tea bags are made of plant-based biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) material.
- Dilmah tea bags are 100% biodegradable.
- Yorkshire Tea has switched to sealing its tea bags with renewable plant-based materials.
- Clipper has manufactured its first completely plastic-free tea bag using natural plant-based materials.
- Higher Living tea bags are made from unbleached paper with an organic cotton string stitched into the paper to form the bag, with no plastic. The envelopes and boxes are recyclable.
- Twinings has switched to plant-based, biodegradable materials for all their string-and-tag tea bag formats.
- Madama Flavour offers eco-friendly pyramid tea bags made from Soilon, a PLA corn-starch-derived material sourced from Japan.
- Barry's Tea has confirmed that all its black tea range is now 100% biodegradable. Since September 2021, all its Fruit, Herbal, and Green teas are available in biodegradable tea bags.
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Tea bag manufacturers phasing out plastics
Tea bags made from plastic or sealed with plastic are a major health concern for tea drinkers. When placed in hot water, a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup of tea. These microplastics can have a negative effect on the endocrine system and cause a range of health issues.
Due to the potential health risks and negative impacts on the environment, tea bag manufacturers are phasing out plastics and transitioning to biodegradable and compostable plant-based tea bags. For example, the company that makes Lyons tea bags has phased out plastics entirely from their tea range. Their tea bags are now made from a blend of natural fibres, including abaca, cellulose fibres, and a small amount of plastic fibres. Other tea bag manufacturers that have switched to plastic-free tea bags include Clipper, PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea, Nature's Cuppa, Qi Tea, and Stash Tea.
Plastic-free tea bags are usually sealed with a bioplastic made from maize or corn starch, which functions in the same way as polypropylene. Some tea brands, such as Abel & Cole, use heat to seal their tea bags instead of bioplastic. Other alternatives to plastic tea bags include loose leaf tea, instant tea, and cloth-based tea bags.
While some tea bag manufacturers have made strides in phasing out plastics, there is still a lot of misinformation and confusion around which tea bags contain plastic. It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential presence of plastic in tea bags and to seek out plastic-free alternatives to reduce their exposure to microplastics and minimise the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Plastic tea bags in Australia
Plastic tea bags are a major concern for tea drinkers in Australia, especially those who consume tea regularly. Tea bags made from plastic release billions of microplastics and nanoparticles into the beverage, which may have serious health consequences. A 2019 study found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics when steeped at brewing temperature (95°C). These plastic particles may be small enough to enter human cells and have been linked to various health issues, including endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer risk, metabolic problems, and neurodevelopmental interference.
The presence of plastic in tea bags serves multiple purposes, such as binding the fibres together, heat sealing, and maintaining the seal during steeping. However, this comes at a cost to the environment and consumers' health. Tea manufacturers in Australia and worldwide are responding to this issue by offering plastic-free alternatives. For example, brands like Higher Living create compostable, plastic-free tea bags made from unbleached paper and organic cotton strings, while Nature's Cuppa offers tea bags made from unbleached paper without polymers or plasticizers, certified organic by the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA).
Some companies, such as Clipper, have introduced completely plastic-free tea bags using natural plant-based materials, while others like Yorkshire Tea have switched to sealing their tea bags with renewable plant-based alternatives. Barry's Tea, a brand available in Australia, has also transitioned to biodegradable tea bags for their black tea, fruit, herbal, and green tea ranges. These tea bags are made with a blend of biodegradable thermoplastic fibres (PLA), abaca, and selected cellulosic fibres.
Consumers in Australia who are concerned about plastic tea bags have several options. They can opt for plastic-free tea bags from brands like Clipper, Higher Living, Nature's Cuppa, or Yorkshire Tea. Alternatively, they can choose biodegradable options like Barry's Tea or look for tea bags made from unbleached paper without polymers or plasticizers. Reusable tea bags for loose leaf tea or homemade organic muslin cloth tea bags are also environmentally friendly and healthy alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, many tea bags in Australia contain plastic.
The amount of plastic in tea bags is usually very small and varies between manufacturers. However, a 2019 study found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into one cup of tea.
Yes, there are a few plastic-free tea bag options available in Australia. Some brands that offer plastic-free tea bags include Nature's Cuppa, Dilmah, Clipper, and Abel & Cole. Nature's Cuppa tea bags are made with unbleached paper and certified organic by the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA). Abel & Cole tea bags are made from SoilOn, a corn-starch-based material, and are completely biodegradable and glue-free.
The health risks of ingesting microplastics from tea bags are still being studied. However, there are concerns about potential health dangers, especially with frequent tea consumption. Microplastics have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer risk, problems with metabolism and nutrition, and interference with neurodevelopment.
