There are a few varieties of tea bags and not all are biodegradable. This article will discuss the difference between three of the main types of tea bags and how long it takes for different types of tea bags to biodegrade:
OneEarth® Products
We believe OneEarth® offers one of the best biodegradable tea bags and here are some reasons why:
- The tea bag material is sourced from non-GMO sugar cane and is certified compostable in 21 days or less.
- The non-GMO sugar cane is taken from the husk of the cane sugar and the material is manufactured in a dry process – meaning there is no water waste going back into the environment and no water being used to manufacture the material.
- The tea bag is naturally white (not bleached) and the entire product: tea bag material, string, tag, and envelope are all compostable in 21 days or less.
- The material is 100% Biobased (100% plant-based) and non-GMO. Other PLA tea bags claim to be compostable but are known to compost in around 6 – 12 months. One Earth® tea bags compost in 21 days or less.
Paper Alternative
Paper tea bags: Paper tea bags can be compostable but only certain parts of the tea bag are compostable. A paper tea bag is sealed using glue which is not compostable. The string and tag are often stapled or glued to the tea bag material making them not compostable. To manufacture the paper material, tons of water is used, and contaminated water goes back into our environment. Paper tea bags often have polypropylene and are bleached to make them white. After use, these paper tea bags are not recyclable and will often sit in landfills for countless years.
Nylon Alternative
Nylon pyramid tea bag: nylon material became popular because of its ability to see the tea when the tea bag is dry. This material is completely plastic. The nylon material comes from non-renewable sources and will stay in a landfill for hundreds of years. When the material is steeping your tea, it is also leaching microplastics into the water. This material is the least environmentally friendly material on the market. The rule is, if you can see your tea when the tea bag is dry – it is not compostable and not plastic-free!
In conclusion, if you are searching for the best biodegradable tea bag material on the market consider the One Earth® certified compostable, non-GMO, plant-based, plastic-free & USDA 100% Biobased tea bag material! This material is available on the roll with many tea companies in the United States and Europe using it for their tea lines. To learn more about One Earth®