Plastic In Teabags
Nicky NewtonA few years back I was reading an article about teabags and microplastic. Yes, the bags themselves can shed billions of particles of microplastics.
The Microplastic in Teabags
The Journal of Environmental Science & Technology published this article showing “that steeping a single plastic teabag at brewing temperature (95 °C) releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup”. Shocking right!
Polypropylene is often used to seal teabags to stop them from falling apart. As it isn’t compostable or biodegradable, it can lead to plastic pollution as it won’t be broken down.
Like most plastics, polypropylene is a known endocrine disruptor. A quick google search will bring up a lot of published information about the range of health issues (some chronic) which can stem from endocrine disruptors, like this informative piece.
Plastic Teabags
Whilst we're not here to name and shame, you can quickly find out if you chosen cuppa brand uses plastic tea bags by taking a close look at the packaging information.Most advertise now if they are plastic free but unless it says a bioplastic is used to seal the bag, likelihood is, plastic has been used.
Teabags Without Plastic
Not only are Reusable Organic Cotton Tea Bag zero waste and plastic-free, they also allow you to enjoy a whole range of delicious, loose leaf tea!Our delicious teas are mostly organic and biodynamic meaning they are also free from pesticides and herbicides etc.
Alternatively, a good stainless-steel infuser / strainer should last for decades. If it starts to get stained by the tea, just pop some baking soda and vinegar onto it and give it a good rub. It will come back to it's original sparkling self in no time.
