Tea baggage have come below scrutiny resulting from issues associated to plastic utilization, recyclability, compostability and biodegradability. Bagged tea stays a related selection for its comfort, however manufacturers want to seek out workable sustainability options to satisfy client expectations.
In Germany, 39% of shoppers cite sustainable packaging because the issue that will set off them to modify tea manufacturers. Moreover, 43% of US shoppers suppose espresso/tea manufacturers ought to prioritise sustainable packaging.
Tea bag producers need to varied choices to finish the usage of plastic in tea baggage. Petroleum-based plastics resembling polypropylene are historically used as sealants in tea baggage.
Shoppers now count on their tea baggage to be plastic-free to keep away from microplastics of their tea, with 25% of Thai shoppers keen to pay extra for tea packaged in plastic-free baggage.
One response to the demand for plastic-free tea baggage is the rising use of bio-based biodegradable polymers, resembling polylactic acid (PLA), that are made out of renewable assets resembling corn. Many PLA tea baggage are marketed as plant-based, biodegradable or compostable resulting from the usage of bio-based elements versus petroleum-based plastics.
Nevertheless, PLA tea baggage don’t naturally degrade within the surroundings and require an industrial composting course of for biodegradation, as outlined within the United Nations Environmental Program’s ‘Single-use plastics: A roadmap for sustainability’.
Exploring bagless tea dips as a plastic-free different
Given the restricted biodegradability of PLA-based tea baggage, tea manufacturers can discover another answer: bagless tea dips.
Woolah in India has launched a plastic-free, bagless tea dip that also affords comfort. As an alternative of tea baggage, Woolah’s unbroken complete tea leaves are compressed with a string hooked up to them. These compressed tea leaves unfurl when steeped in boiling water.
Woolah’s teas declare to be brewable as much as thrice or till the flavour diminishes and the tea leaves can naturally biodegrade; Mintel GNPD
Clarifying the reality about compostable tea baggage
Tea bag producers usually use the phrases ‘compostable’ and ‘biodegradable’ interchangeably when selling their eco-friendly tea baggage.
In India, a major 70% of consumers are conscious that almost all packaging labelled as ‘compostable’ can solely be composted at an industrial facility fairly than at dwelling (e.g. one’s backyard or yard). Almost the identical proportion (69%) understands that ‘degradable’ and ‘biodegradable’ packaging are distinct ideas.
This consciousness highlights the necessity for manufacturers to be clear concerning the particular situations crucial for his or her packaging to be really compostable. As an example, Dilmah New Zealand has made it clear on its web site and packaging that its PLA tea baggage should bear industrial composting.
Selling dwelling composting
Tea manufacturers can deal with guaranteeing that their tea baggage are totally home-compostable, catering to shoppers who already apply dwelling composting.
Tea baggage made out of supplies that may be composted at dwelling are perfect for shoppers in areas the place industrial composting of family waste is unavailable, and compostable packaging isn’t collected curbside.
House-compostable tea baggage are nonetheless comparatively new, with lower than 1% of tea baggage launched globally claiming to be appropriate for dwelling composting within the 12 months to July 2023, in accordance with Mintel GNPD.
Tea baggage with dwelling composting accreditation present assurance to shoppers searching for to compost their used tea baggage at dwelling. Manufacturers like Duchy by Waitrose within the UK and Healtheries in New Zealand have obtained accreditation for his or her home-compostable tea baggage with info out there on their web sites.
Strengthening the Enchantment of Sustainable Tea Bag Packaging
The messaging on tea bag packaging performs an important function in demonstrating their sustainability credentials. With 70% of Indian shoppers having bought merchandise with sustainable packaging prior to now six months by October 2022, it’s important for sustainable tea baggage to successfully talk their eco-friendly attributes on the packaging. This want turns into extra pronounced as extra tea baggage characteristic environmentally pleasant claims on their packaging.
This article first appeared within the October 2023 print situation of WhatPackaging Journal.
