Tea bags and microplastic

[NJCher]

snip:

Source: The Green Child Magazine

You’d probably be surprised to learn that most tea bags contain up to 25% plastic. In fact, we didn’t know about plastic in tea bags until we watched a viral BBC video about tea production in 2017.

Canadian researchers published a study in the American Chemical Society’s Journal of Environmental Science and Technology which found that steeping a single plastic tea bag at brewing temperature releases about 11.6 billion minuscule particles known as “microplastics” and 3.1 billion “nanoplastics” into each cup (source).

When you look at a tea bag, plastic usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Yet about a quarter of each tea bag (from most brands) is comprised of this substance. You can watch how tea bags made (see it here) to see how plastic is incorporated.

So why is plastic in tea bags to begin with? In order for the tea bags to seal up and keep their shape in hot liquid, a plastic polymer, namely polypropylene, must be added. Even though the amounts of plastic found in tea bags is minimal — and vary between manufacturers — it adds up to quite a bit when you look at the big picture.

snip

Read more at: Green Child Magazine website

At their web site are pictures of teabags they tried to compost. They don't compost after 6 months or even a year.

They also researched what companies have plastic in their teabags and which ones don't. The following companies do not use plastic in their teabags. To find out what they do use, visit the site at the link above. Numi, Pukka Herb teas, Teapigs, Tea Tonic, Nature's Cuppa do not use plastic.

I ordered a l lb bag of chamomile, organic, grown in the USA. I already had the stainless steel mesh bags in both the one cup size and the teapot size. I made a cup today and found I was quite happy with it. Cost was $15.00.

As far as my other favorite tea goes, I'll make it from my own mint, which is spearmint and peppermint.

In addition to being healthier, this will be far better cost-wise, too.

[tblue37]

1. Thanks. I had no idea that paper teabags *also* contain plastic! Fortuately, I can switch to a

metal tea ball.

[sandensea]

2. No wonder Lipton always tasted so funky

Had that metallic undertaste every time, you know? I stopped buying any over a decade ago now.

Thank you for the valuable info! From one tea drinker to another.

Well, mostly yerba mate these days - but it's tea (of sorts).

[virgogal]

3. Back to the loose tea,the tea pot,and tea strainer for me.

[Doitnow]

4. I suppose you can still use the tea bagged tea that you have. Just cut into the bag and empty

the contents in hot water, steep and strain.

[Backseat Driver]

5. Any info on Bigelow Green or Uncle Lee Biologigue White 100 ct boxes

in individually wrapped bags; both brands have been EcoCertified USDA/CERES and have expiration dates imprinted on box. I bought Truleaf Tea varieties just for the glass/twist capped bottles I can repeatedly wash and sterilize using the heat dry dishwasher option. I brew the tea in a glass sun tea jug about 1/2 hr using filtered water and then naturally sweeten and flavor if desired w/lemon, mint, pomegranate, lavender or other tea-friendly organics. Refill the bottles and refrigerate. Very economical, healthy, refreshing, and tasty!

Bigelow mentions they are watching their carbon footprint as well by reducing their use of metal staple closures of their bags. The outside boxes, wrappings, strings are all biodegradable. That's WINNING!

[Duppers]

6. Dang! Thanks for this!!

I drink up to 4, sometimes 5 big mugs of hot tea each day. Gotta get a mesh strainer now.