A wooden tea case on a white table stocked with tea bags from different popular tea companies.

The Truth About Most Tea Bags and Your Health

Are you concerned about microplastics in tea bags? You should be.

The bad news is most conventional tea bags from popular supermarkets release billions of potentially harmful plastics into every single cup of tea. The good news is there are ways to avoid microplastics in tea bags altogether. One way involves switching to a new compostable tea sachet, which we’ll address toward the end of this post.

Plastic debris and microplastics have made news headlines for their harmful effects on sea life and our oceans and lakes. Collecting and sifting through plastic particles from great bodies of water has only started to unveil this huge environmental issue. But, microplastics are also a large health concern for land-dwellers, including humans. 

Next to water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world. Recent studies have revealed the all too real and serious health concerns that little tea bags might have on your well-being. They not only pollute the planet, but they may pollute your body at a microscopic level.

Now, nanoplastics and microplastics in tea bags are starting to garner heavy attention. They are making popular headlines, today, but this has been an ongoing issue for quite some time. Some tea companies — like Teabloom — are well aware of this and have implemented strategies to create responsible and healthy alternatives.

We will define microplastic and nanoplastic for you and why they are such a huge concern. We will look at common unethical practices in the tea bag industry leading to so many microplastics in tea bags. Finally, we will point you in the right direction so you can keep your tea chemical-free and plastic-free.

What Are Microplastics?

A bowl full of small plastic debris is an example of microplastics.

Debris from plastic that is over 5mm in length — about the size of a pencil eraser — are macroplastics and easy to see. Plastic pieces less than 1 nanometer and up to 5mm are classified as microplastics. Nanoplastics are even smaller and measure less than 1 nanometer in length.

Where Do Microplastics Come From?

A hand with gold glitter pouring into it against a bright pink background.

You can find microplastics in manufactured plastic products like glitter, cosmetics, seed coatings, toys, synthetic textiles, food containers, and so much more. These tiny plastic pieces are categorized into primary and secondary microplastics.

Primary microplastics are tiny plastic particles intentionally made at a small size to perform their intended function. Plastic products or ingredients like glitter, microbeads found in face wash, or fine powders from toothpaste are made intentionally small. 

Secondary microplastics are tiny plastic particles that come from a larger plastic item. These could come from containers for food, packaging, or building materials and result from the item breaking down. Microplastics in tea bags fall into this second category.

Why Are Microplastics Harmful?

Colorful plastic straws cut into various size pieces as an example of microplastic waste.

Microplastics — like ones found in face wash, toothpaste, and sunscreen — can make their way through drains and into the oceans and environment. They can also make their way into your body and cause health issues. The same is true for microplastics in tea bags.

The long-term health concerns of microplastics aren’t known, yet. But, from the data collected about marine environments, there might be inflammation, stunted growth, issues with reproduction, and liver damage to name a few. 

Microplastics have been most widely studied concerning their effects on water and water life because they are easy to find, filter, test, and analyze. This is also where the funding and money for testing are going, for now. We do not have too much information about microplastics relating to air or soil, but we know they are found on all seven continents.

Microplastics themselves are only half of the concern. The particles adhering to microplastics may also cause additional harm to the body.

The surfaces of microplastics collect pollutants. These microplastics accumulate in the bodies of wildlife which eat these harmful chemicals. Wildlife may be eaten by other animals or consumed by humans, helping the microplastics make their way up the food chain.

With tea being the most popular beverage in the world, all eyes are on tea bags. What you believe is a healthy cup of tea might harm your health.

But, what are the specific health effects of microplastics in tea bags? Are they really a concern for you?

Are Microplastics From Tea Bags Harmful?

A woman with dark hair in a dark grey sweater holding a black cup of tea with a tea bag that may have microplastics.

Microplastics themselves may be harmful, no matter where they come from. In addition to this, the chemicals and toxins that adhere to the microplastics can have adverse health effects. These microplastics, nanoplastics, and chemicals make their way through your body or collect inside your body and can make you more susceptible to diseases

The study of microplastics is still relatively new, but the data we have already collected points to microplastics being a potential global issue from the health of soil and oceans to wildlife and humans. A wide span of health concerns including problems with metabolism, reproduction, interference with neurodevelopment, and cancer risks, are all concerns. 

All this being said, microplastics in tea bags are a huge issue. This study stated that tea bags have numerous negative health consequences. Most tea bags you find in your supermarket are made with plastic materials like polypropylene.

Why Are Most Tea Bags Harmful?

A common teabag surrounded by loose-leaf tea is made with materials that may have microplastics.

Polypropylene is widely used in tea bag manufacturing, even though it’s a known non-biodegradable material. This means it can take hundreds or thousands of years to break down into the earth. It isn’t environmentally friendly. 

Even “food grade” polymers like nylon have harmful effects on your health. When these materials hit hot water, they break down and release materials that may have adverse effects on your health. 

One study revealed one single cup of tea made with a conventional tea bag released about 11.6 billion microplastics. In addition to microplastics, about 3.1 billion nanoplastics were found in the same cup. 

How to Avoid Microplastics In Tea Bags

Small loose-leaf tea containers with various teas from Teabloom.

Studies reveal that most tea bags on the market include polypropylene or nylon and very few may be free of plastic residue. About 96% of the UK's tea is sold in tea bags. If it’s true that microplastics in tea bags are a concern, the tea bag industry needs to make some changes.

If you suspect your tea bag company is using plastic material, contact them and demand that they switch to plastic-free packaging. 

One of the easiest ways to resolve the microplastics in tea bag usage is to stop using tea bags altogether. If you are a tea lover, stop using single-use tea bags made with plastic materials. Instead, use loose-leaf teas paired with glass or stainless steel teaware

Another solution is to find tea bags made with sustainable, compostable, and healthy materials that never release microplastics into your tea. 

Which Tea Bags Do Not Have Microplastics?

Individual colorful tea pyramid sachets in a beautiful presentation box from Teabloom as a healthy alternative for microplastic tea bags.

Healthy and environmentally friendly tea bags exist!

Alternative healthier tea bag materials include plant-based tea bags or fabric-based tea bags. If you find fabric-based bags, be sure the material is made of a natural fiber like cotton or bamboo. You’ll also want to research to see if their fabric is treated with chemicals that might cause harm to your health. 

Another option is plant-based tea bags made from natural and compostable materials like corn.

Find the Best Healthy Tea Bags at Teabloom

A person’s hand holding a Teabloom tea sachet in a glass tea mug surrounded by tea sachet pyramid boxes on a white table.

We may be biased, but at Teabloom, we prefer plant-based tea bags. Microplastics in tea bags aren’t a new issue. This has been top of mind since the company was founded. 

Teabloom knows the environmental and physical repercussions of irresponsibly made teaware and tea bags. That’s why we’ve taken extra-precautious steps to create convenient and healthy tea sachets you’ll be proud to enjoy.

Our compostable tea bags are made from plant-based materials and never release microplastics into your tea. They are a healthy, environmentally friendly option with all the convenience of a conventional tea bag. 

Teabloom’s tea sachets are 100% plant-based and made from corn. They are never filled with tea dust — only the same whole-leaf tea you get from their loose-leaf tea blends. This means you get all the quality of loose-leaf tea in the convenience of a beautifully designed and sustainable tea bag.

With these beautiful tea sachets, you can feel good about what you put into your body. And you will know exactly what happens to your tea sachet after you’re finished with it.

When you’re done with your tea bag, simply toss it in your compost bin. It only takes a few months for it to completely break down so you can add it to your garden. With Teabloom’s tea sachets, you’ll never have to worry about microplastics in tea bags.

For the healthiest chemical-free teaware and sustainable teas, explore Teabloom, today.

www.Teabloom.com