I often think of switching from coffee to tea because it is healthier, but I do love my coffee and for now coffee is loving me. I have however started a nighttime routine of having some yummy hot tea before bed, and “making healthy choices using organic tea”. What I didn’t know was that a vast majority of tea brands on the market have mesh tea bags that are composed of 20-30% plastic. According to studies by Environmental Science & Technology, a single standard tea bag when heated to 95 degrees C, releases 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into every cup of tea.
Why Is Plastic in My Tea Bags Harmful?
Microplastics in tea bags can be harmful not only for the environment but to us humans as well. When microplastics enter the human system through ingestion they have the potential to:
- Cause damage to the cells
- Hormone disruption
- Immune disruption
- Neurotoxicity (symptoms are loss of memory, headaches, vision change, and behavior problems)
- Reproductive toxicity
- Carcinogenicity in the body (produce cancer)
But I Drink Organic Tea, Isn’t It Plastic-free?
Not necessarily. From my research, plastic in your tea bags is not something overseen by Organic-certifying organizations. Do your research. Either call the company or look on their website to see if they are transparent about what type of tea bags they use. You want to find companies that use unbleached filter paper that is verified home compostable, biodegradable, Non-GMO, allergen-free, and chemical-free.
The biggest plastic tea bag culprit is that silky pyramid tea bag. It is made of nylon which is also a type of plastic that will leech microplastics into your tea.
Brands with tea bags that don’t contain plastic: (according to Becausehealth.org)
- Traditional Medicinals
- Pukka
- Numi Teas
- Republic of Tea
- Stash
- Yogi Tea
- Organic India
Brands with tea bags that do contain plastic:
- Tazo
- Teavana (Starbucks)
- Celestial Seasonings
- Mighty Leaf Teas (now owned by Peet’s)
When in doubt use an old fashion stainless steel mesh strainer and loose-leaf tea. I will be from now on!
Lastly, tea bags should not be put in compost as the plastics in the tea bag will leech into the soil and the ocean spread microplastics into the food we eat. Throw them in the trash.
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