If you’ve ever dropped a tea bag into hot water and thought, this feels wholesome, you’re not alone. Tea has a reputation for being gentle, natural, and comforting. But here’s the part most people do not realize.
Many modern tea bags release microplastics directly into your tea.
Yep. Even the ones that look like paper.
Let’s break it down.
How Most Tea Bags Are Actually Made
Traditional tea bags used to be made from paper fibers like abaca or cellulose. Today, many brands have switched to materials that are cheaper, stronger, or more visually appealing.
That includes:
- Nylon
- PET plastic
- Polypropylene
- “Silk” or mesh pyramid bags
Those trendy pyramid tea bags that let the leaves “expand”? Most of them are plastic.
When hot water hits these materials, especially at boiling temperatures, they can shed microscopic plastic particles into your cup.
But What About Tea Bags That Look Like Paper?
This is where it gets sneaky.
Even tea bags that look like paper often contain plastic.
Many paper-style tea bags are sealed with:
- Plastic binders
- Heat-sealing plastic fibers
- A thin plastic coating to prevent tearing
That means they are not fully plant-based, even if the packaging implies otherwise.
Unless a brand clearly states that their tea bags are plastic-free or compostable, there is a good chance plastic is involved somewhere in the process.
What Are Microplastics and Why Do They Matter?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, often invisible to the naked eye. Studies have shown that a single plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastic particles into one cup of tea.
These particles do not break down easily in the body or the environment.
Researchers are still studying the long-term health effects, but microplastics have already been found in:
- Human blood
- Lungs
- Digestive systems
Tea is supposed to be a moment of care. Adding plastic to that ritual feels… off.
Why This Is So Common in the Tea Industry
To be fair, many tea companies are not trying to be deceptive.
Plastic tea bags:
- Are cheaper to manufacture
- Hold up better in shipping
- Look pretty on shelves
- Allow for consistent sizing and sealing
But convenience and aesthetics often come at the cost of transparency.
So What’s the Alternative?
Loose leaf tea.
Loose leaf tea uses whole or large pieces of tea leaves, herbs, fruits, and flowers. It steeps freely in hot water without being confined by a bag.
That means:
- No plastic
- Better flavor
- More aroma
- You can see what you’re actually drinking
Pair it with a stainless steel infuser or a fully compostable filter, and your cup stays exactly what it should be. Tea and water. Nothing else.
Our Take at Full Moon Tea Company
This is one of the reasons we focus on loose leaf tea.
We believe tea should be made with real ingredients, not hidden plastics. When you scoop a blend into your infuser, you can see the herbs, petals, and leaves. There’s nothing mysterious about it.
Tea should feel grounding, nourishing, and intentional. You deserve to know what’s in your cup.
If you’ve ever felt curious about loose leaf but intimidated by it, consider this your sign. It’s simpler than it looks, and your tea will taste better for it.
