The Hidden Plastic in Tea Bags
Tea bags may seem like a harmless, biodegradable item, but they actually contain a small amount of non-biodegradable plastic. Top tea manufacturers like PG Tips, Tetley, and Twinings use polypropylene as a sealant in their tea bags.

The Impact on the Environment
With 165 million tea bags used every day, the cumulative effect of these microplastics on the soil is a concern. Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh found a variety of plastics in the digestate left over after food waste anaerobic digestion (AD).

What to Do with Used Tea Bags
Despite the presence of microplastics, the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) advises that used tea bags should still be thrown into compost bins. The plastic skeleton can be sieved out and discarded or dug in with the compost.

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