Can you compost tea bags?
The con-postable debate continues and after months of research, we give you the facts on tea bag packaging.
Join us on our green journey
Join us Transparency is one of our core values at Joe’s Tea so we’ve created this page to openly document our green journey. Follow us as we interrogate every aspect of our business with the goal of becoming as green as we can possibly be.
We will continue asking questions about all our business practices, products and materials, and we’ll strive to make the best decisions for the planet and for you, our customers.
We will always be happy to answer any questions that you have about any of our products, materials or business practices. Email us at hello@joesteacompany.com if you can’t find the answer to a question on this page.
Our current impact on the planet
Planet organic
We’re passionate about organic farming and have only ever traded 100% organic teas and herbal infusions. Why are we so passionate about it? Because organic farming is the only way to ensure that our planet is properly looked after through agriculture for the present and the future. Our ingredients have never even had a whiff of chemicals (fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides) and that keeps the ecosystems around the teas, herbs and spices as natural and happy as possible.
Strictly no GMO
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have had their DNA modified by humans through a process of genetic engineering. The dangers and risks of mass GMO farming to the planet is well documented and many countries have banned or restricted their use as a result. With no standardised regulations on the labelling of GMOs in packaging and ingredients means that it’s often difficult or impossible to know where they hide. We guarantee that none of our ingredients or packaging contain any GMOs.
The waste debate
For any business, packaging, waste and compostability vs costs and resources means decisions, and these decisions aren’t always easy to make. Our pyramid bags, strings and tags are recyclable, our boxes are made from FSC recyclable board but not compostable inks, and our inner plastic bags and our foil bags for foodservice are not recyclable. See below for how we’re working towards making our packaging fully compostable by 2021.
Our pledge from 2020 and beyond
Natureflex
2021 will see us switching to fully compostable inner packaging in our retail products by using Natureflex, a very clever plant based alternative to plastic. We don’t believe in wasting any materials so we have some stock to use up but we’ll keep you updated as to when you can see this on a shelf near you.
FSC and veg inks
We already use FSC (Forest Stewardship Council Certification) cardboard for most of our packaging and we’re working towards this being 100%. We will also start to use vegetable inks across all our retail packaging. This will mean that our retail outer packaging will be fully compostable.
Bags, tags and string
We are working closely with the top global pyramid bag material manufacturers for a compostable version and believe there will be an option available late 2020. In the meantime, we will change our strings from polyester to compostable cotton string. The tags are a little more complicated because they need to be water resistant, we are reviewing alternative options and we’ll let you know here as soon as we have a solution.
“When we make the decision to buy an organic product, we’re not always aware of the huge contribution we are making. Not only does organic farming deliver proven benefits for wildlife, but by avoiding the use of high energy chemicals and encouraging practices that put carbon back in the soil, it also has significant potential to address climate change. Organic farming is great for people too, creating more jobs and reducing farm workers exposure to harmful pesticides. Not only does every pound you spend on organic get you a product you can really trust, but it’s a vote for a better future where food and farming are as it should be.”
Lee Holdstock – Soil Association
Our range of award winning organic teas
The best whole leaf teas and herbal infusions meet good-to-go pyramid tea bags, tastebud brilliant flavour and proper London passion.