TEA BAGS

[RoadRunner44]

Hi everyone, Many of us are enjoying our gardens during this difficult time, myself included. I have a compost heap and add the usual tops and tails of vegetables to it besides egg shells, weeds and other useful bits and pieces like used teabags which I compost and also use as a mulch.

It hadnt occured to me that teabags have a plastic mesh woven into the paper to strengthen it. I was completely unaware of this and felt it important to share this information with all you gardening friends. The point is we are all trying to cut back on the use of plastic. But even this little item is contributing to the plastic pollution of soil, just like plastic products entering the food chain have in the sea. As a result I have now gone back to using tea leaves. Does anyone know if there are teabags available without plastic?

[2greys]

countryliving.com/uk/create...

pebblemag.com/magazine/eati...

[RoadRunner44 in reply to 2greys]

Thanks 2greys another very informative and useful link. I hope other members read it too.

[peege]

Yes, over a year ago tea companies made a promise to change their teabags. That went very quiet indeed, Tetly and PG tips promised amongst others.

We're not supposed to put them in our council's food collection bins.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to peege]

That's interesting peege. That information is not included by my local council. I will contact them and ask for information. Our food collection is taken to a site to make compost for parks etc and residents are also able to obtain some. Thanks.

😊

[peege in reply to RoadRunner44]

It seems they're all different. In a Suffolk borough my sisters have been forbidden to put teabags, banana skins and other stuff in their compost bin for years.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to peege]

Gosh, so surprising how different each council is.

[Hidden]

Good link from 2greys.

Also you shouldn't composed tea bag if contaminated with milk etc.

[RoadRunner44]

You learn something every day. Yes, excellent link from 2greys as usual. I'll make my Sustainability Group aware of all of this. Such a small thing, but knowledge is power.

😊

[cofdrop-UK]

Clipper tea bags are unbleached and plastic free.

Cx

[RoadRunner44 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks for replying cofdrop. Are these clipper tea bags easily available in supermarkets? Going shopping tomorrow and could get some.

Hope you are managing in the heat.

X

[Izb1 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Handy to know this, think I will change over, thanks cof x

[cofdrop-UK]

Yes they are RR. I have the decaf ones at the moment as I believe they remove the caffeine with water rather than chemicals. I would just check as they usually do print it on the packaging in decent sized font.

Good luck and happy composting.

Love cx

[RoadRunner44 in reply to cofdrop-UK]

Thanks for that,

💟

[cofdrop-UK in reply to RoadRunner44]

You’re welcome

Cx

[peege in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I use those too (being persimonious I get two mugs from one teabag) 🤐 don't like bleached teabags from those common brands😋

Also have loose leaf decaff from Brew xxxx

[AngieB72]

PG tips are now 100% plant based and biodegradable.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to AngieB72]

Thanks for the information. It's becoming evident that manufacturers are listening and eliminating plastic from their products. That's such a relief.

[mikeadams51]

That’s one reason I still use tea leaves. Apart from the fact loose tea tastes better

[RoadRunner44 in reply to mikeadams51]

I'm so glad you feel like that. Our food chain is so important. Plastic seems to be everywhere.

Cheers.

[mikeadams51 in reply to RoadRunner44]

No worries. Take the leap to loose tea. You will appreciate the better taste. Take care

[Izb1]

Thanks for the info Roadrunner, think I will change over x

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Izb1]

I didnt realize this but there is so much plastic is in the food chain. A little knowledge empowers us to make those little changes in our lives. Eventually, those little steps can make a huge difference in the long run.

Cheers for now.