Teabags are not 100% biodegradable.

Worztron

Hi.

I recently found out that most tea bags are not 100% biodegradable. About 80% will breakdown but about 20% is made from a plastic called polypropylene. Tearing every tea bag seems a bit tedious. Does anyone know any tea brands whose tea bags are 100% biodegradable?

Lumen

From 2010

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jul/02/teabags-biodegradeable

Which? Gardening said the recyclability of teabags did not seem to be high on manufacturers' agendas, and claimed to have found only one brand of conventional teabag which is polypropylene-free: Jacksons of Piccadilly. Teadirect's Whitney Kakos added: "Most consumers don't notice (the polypropylene) and probably don't care."

Bags which are fully biodegradable include those that are stitched rather than sealed. Another green option are increasingly popular Japanese-style pyramids such as "tea temples" manufactured by teapigs.co.uk, containing whole leaf (as opposed to ground) and arguably better-tasting tea. The company has recently changed its entire range from nylon mesh to a 100% compostable material made from corn starch.

This bit is shocking:

A spokesperson for Clipper Teas said: "Our teabags are composed of vegetable and wood fibres and are sealed with a low level of polypropylene. Our teabags are suitable for inclusion in compost heaps where the fibres will break down. Any remaining fibres will be small and can be dispersed in the soil."

"Ah sure, what harm to fill your soil with tiny plastic fibres. Be grand". :mad:

Lumen

Update from 2017:

http://moralfibres.co.uk/is-there-plastic-in-your-tea/

Teapigs, Pukka Tea, Twinings Pyramid tea bags and Tetley’s catering range are plastic free

Or you could just use leaf tea.

Victor

Worztron wrote: »

a plastic called polypropylene.

This is commonly known as polythene - as used in plastic shopping bags.

Hocus Focus

Victor wrote: »

This is commonly known as polythene - as used in plastic shopping bags.

High Density Polythene, HDPE, whose chemical formula is C2 H4 is used to make shopping bags and many other types of film, and containers such as bottles and oil drums. Polypropylene, an entirely different substance, with the chemical formula C3H6, is used in the manufacture of such things as textiles, ropes, carpets, laboratory equipment and banknotes. It is very stable and resistant to a large number of solvents, hence very unlikely to break down into any harmful substances if added to the soil.
Isn't it quite common to see a compost heap covered with a piece of old carpet?

evolving_doors

Hocus Focus wrote: »

High Density Polythene, HDPE, whose chemical formula is C2 H4 is used to make shopping bags and many other types of film, and containers such as bottles and oil drums. Polypropylene, an entirely different substance, with the chemical formula C3H6, is used in the manufacture of such things as textiles, ropes, carpets, laboratory equipment and banknotes. It is very stable and resistant to a large number of solvents, hence very unlikely to break down into any harmful substances if added to the soil.
Isn't it quite common to see a compost heap covered with a piece of old carpet?

Well ok then. I don't mind too much about minute pieces of plastic in a compost heap.

But what about drinking from the stuff directly! Especially when heated.

These guys say it's ok http://www.bpf.co.uk/Sustainability/pet_plastic_bottles_facts_not_myths.aspx
but they would wouldn't they?

Switching to tea leaves seems like a good idea.

EDIT: Forgot to mention... EVERYTHING is biodegradable ( given enough time !)