Are there Microplastics in our Tea Bags?

with 7 Comments

Tea-Bags-Brewing
 
There has been a recent study which reveals that, in some premium tea bags, billions of microplastics can be shed by the tea bag during a brew. We all know how bad these microplastics are, if they get into the sea. The World Health Organization say that these microplastics don’t pose a health risk to humans, but the research is in the early days, and it is still unclear how bad the problem is.

Most tea bags are made from paper, using a small amount of plastic to seal the edges. But a number of premium tea bags, often the pyramid shape, use a lot more plastic to keep the integrity of shape, to help the tea leaves mingle & create a better brew.

But researchers found that these premium tea bags release over 10 billion microplastics into the water. These microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, but pose a problem for marine life when they eventually get into the sea.

At Welsh Brew Tea, we take environmental issues seriously & we are working with our suppliers to minimise all use of plastics, in our packaging & our tea bags.

But to reduce any chance of generating microplastics, why not try some loose leaf tea? We think that using loose leaf tea also creates a stronger, more tasty cuppa too! We have our Original Welsh Brew loose leaf tea, or a range of premium tea blends, including Earl Grey, Moroccan Mint, Jasmine Green or Chamomile Flower… plus a few more loose leaf tea blends.
 

7 Responses

  1. Genevieve Loxton
    | Reply

    Please could you tell me what the price per cup would be for the 1kg original brew loose leaf tea? Is it cheaper than the catering pack of tea bags? We want to be plastic free as far as possible and avoid using tea bags.

  2. David Robertson
    | Reply

    I did use the loose leaf tea but can’t seem to buy it locally (Abergavenny) recently. We all really enjoy the Welsh Brew blend but would love to see 100% biodegradable tea bags being used. We have been considering swapping brands to those that deliver on that biodegradability.

  3. Siwan
    | Reply

    I would also be interested in an update on the biodegradability of your teabags and we are also looking at changing brands to a greener option – as a Welsh person living in England, I would love to be able to say that swapping to a Welsh firm ticks all the boxes!

  4. Carolyn Hunt
    | Reply

    Yes, PLEASE do get the teabags 100% biodegradable as soon as possible (we can’t put them in the compost bin at the moment!). I use loose leaf whenever possible, but for the quick cuppa when the kids are home, tea bags are so useful.

  5. Dawn Williams
    | Reply

    Like everyone above would like to see 100% plastic free teabags.

    • carlie
      | Reply

      hi, is there any update about the plastic content of the teabags?
      Considering PG tips have announced they are now plastic free, it would be a good time for more info!
      Thanks!

  6. Chris
    | Reply

    I would love to buy Welsh Brew tea, but also want to be plastic free. Please go plastic free as soon as possible

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