Tea baggage have come underneath scrutiny on account of 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 fulfill shopper 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 assume espresso/tea manufacturers ought to prioritise sustainable packaging.
Tea bag producers want to varied choices to finish the usage of plastic in tea baggage. Petroleum-based plastics similar to polypropylene are historically used as sealants in tea baggage.
Customers now count on their tea baggage to be plastic-free to keep away from microplastics of their tea, with 25% of Thai shoppers prepared 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, similar to polylactic acid (PLA), that are comprised of renewable sources similar to corn. Many PLA tea baggage are marketed as plant-based, biodegradable or compostable on account of the usage of bio-based substances 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 various
Given the restricted biodegradability of PLA-based tea baggage, tea manufacturers can discover an alternate answer: bagless tea dips.
Woolah in India has launched a plastic-free, bagless tea dip that also provides comfort. As a substitute of tea baggage, Woolah’s unbroken entire tea leaves are compressed with a string connected 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 typically use the phrases ‘compostable’ and ‘biodegradable’ interchangeably when selling their eco-friendly tea baggage.
In India, a big 70% of consumers are conscious that almost all packaging labelled as ‘compostable’ can solely be composted at an industrial facility quite than at dwelling (e.g. one’s backyard or yard). Practically 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 obligatory 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 give attention to guaranteeing that their tea baggage are totally home-compostable, catering to shoppers who already follow dwelling composting.
Tea baggage comprised 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 line with Mintel GNPD.
Tea baggage with dwelling composting accreditation present assurance to shoppers looking 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 data obtainable on their web sites.
Strengthening the Attraction of Sustainable Tea Bag Packaging
The messaging on tea bag packaging performs a significant function in demonstrating their sustainability credentials. With 70% of Indian shoppers having bought merchandise with sustainable packaging previously six months via 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 challenge of WhatPackaging Journal.
