CM Club Sabres: The Scary Truth About Plastic Tea Bags – What You’re Really Drinking

By CM Club Magazine

Tea is often associated with comfort, health, and relaxation. For many, it’s a daily ritual—a moment of calm in a busy world. But what if your soothing cup of tea is secretly harming you and the environment? Recent studies have revealed a troubling truth: many tea bags, especially those made with plastic, pose significant risks to both human health and the planet. Here’s why plastic tea bags are a bigger problem than you might think.

Tea bags may contain harmful chemicals such as fluorine compounds, arsenic, and heavy metals. When exposed to hot water, the plastic components in some tea bags can break down.

Picture this: you’re at home, brewing your favorite loose leaf tea in a cute little infuser. Life’s good—no plastic, no waste, just pure tea bliss.

Then you head out to your favorite coffee shop, order a tea, and bam! They hand you a tea bag. No big deal, right? Well, here’s the thing: that tea bag might be made with plastic.

Yep, plastic. And suddenly, your chill tea moment feels a little less wholesome.

Wait, Tea Bags Have Plastic?

Okay, let’s back up. At home, you’re probably using loose leaf tea or maybe plastic-free tea bags if you’re keeping it eco-friendly.

But when you’re out and about, a lot of tea bags—even at fancy coffee shops—are made with plastic.

Why? Because plastic makes them stronger and keeps them from falling apart in hot water. Sounds practical, but here’s the catch: when exposed to hot water during brewing, these plastics can break down, releasing billions of microplastic and nanoplastic. Not exactly the kind of upgrade you want in your drink.

People consume between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles annually, depending on age and sex.

Studies have found that one plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastic particles into your cup.

Scientists are still figuring out what that means for our health, but let’s be real—sipping on plastic doesn’t sound like a vibe. People consume between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles annually, depending on age and sex.

These particles come from various sources, including plastic tea bags. Tea bags may also contain harmful chemicals like fluorine compounds, arsenic, heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium), and other toxins. These substances can leach into the tea, posing additional health risks.

Microplastics and nanoplastics pose significant health risks, including endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, cancer risk, metabolic and nutritional problems, and neurodevelopmental issues.

Coffee Shops and Brands Using Plastic Tea Bags

So, who’s guilty of this? Turns out, a lot of the places you’d grab a tea from are using plastic tea bags. Here’s the lowdown:

• Starbucks - Yeah, your go-to coffee spot uses plastic tea bags for some of their teas. Even their fancy Teavana line has plastic in some of their bags.

• Twinings - They’re working on going plastic-free, but some of their tea bags still have it.

• PG Tips - They’ve promised to ditch plastic, but if you’ve got an older box, it might still be hanging around.

• Tetley - Same story—they’re making changes, but not all their tea bags are plastic-free yet.

Plastic tea bags by Teavana

What Can You Do About It?

If the idea of drinking microplastics with your tea doesn’t sit right with you, here are some easy fixes:

- Ask for Loose Leaf: Some coffee shops actually offer loose leaf tea. It’s worth asking!

- Bring Your Own: If you’re a tea fanatic, consider bringing your own plastic-free tea bags or loose leaf tea. Most places will happily steep it for you.

- Support Plastic-Free Brands: When you’re buying tea for home, look for brands like Numi Organic Tea that are already plastic-free.

The Bottom Line

At home, you’re probably keeping it clean with loose leaf or plastic-free tea bags. But when you’re out, it’s a different story. A lot of tea bags—even at your favorite coffee shops—are made with plastic, and that’s not great for you or the planet.

The good news? More brands and shops are starting to ditch the plastic. Until then, you’ve got options: ask for loose leaf, bring your own, or stick to plastic-free brands.

And hey, if you realize you’re stuck with a plastic tea bag, you can always break it open and pour the leaves straight into your cup.

The evidence is clear: plastic tea bags are a significant source of microplastics in our daily lives. By staying informed and making conscious choices—like switching to loose leaf tea or supporting plastic-free brands—we can reduce our exposure and protect both our health and the planet.

Zadorozhnyi Viktor

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Reference:

• Health risks posed by microplastics in tea bags

• Hernandez, L. M., et al. (2019). Environmental Science & Technology. "Plastic Teabags Release Billions of Microparticles and Nanoparticles into Tea." DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

• Study: "Plastic Teabags Release Billions of Microparticles and Nanoparticles into Tea" (2019)Published in: Environmental Science & Technology

  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b02540

  Summary: The groundbreaking study that first revealed how plastic tea bags release billions of microplastic particles into a single cup of tea.

  
  

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