Go Greener – The Environmental Impacts of Tea

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am a big tea lover. I need a cup to wake up in the morning and sip on cups throughout the day as I find it calming and relaxing. But have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact of tea?

Tea bags are typically made from paper sealed with polypropylene- which is in fact a plastic. A 2010 Which? Gardening study in the UK showed that teabags from the top manufacturers were only 70-80% biodegradable. Luckily, due to public awareness increasing in relation to plastic, many companies have set targets for removing the plastic from their tea bags.

When you think about the environmental impact of tea, there is more to it than just the actual teabag. Resources used for growing, process and transporting tea need to be considered. Did you know that over 300 litres of water are used to grow tea for 25 teabags? This can place stress on the environment, especially in areas where water is scarce. There is also a high impact on the environment from the use of pesticides and fertilisers – this can cause water pollution, contributes to deforestation and create problems for biodiversity. Lastly, transporting of tea requires fossil fuels – which of course contributes to climate change.

What can you do?

• Use loose leaf tea instead of teabags
• Buy plastic free tea bags in minimal packaging. Where possible, choose certified compostable teabags
• Dispose of your teabags with your food waste (but remember it may take teabags longer to break down than food waste)
• Look out for fairtrade tea that has been produced to high environmental standards
• Choose certified organic tea that has been grown without synthetic fertilizers

Laura Tennant
Co-ordinator Primary Enviro Girls