If you’re trying to choose plastic free tea bags, it’s not always as straightforward as it should be. Many tea bags that look like paper actually contain small amounts of plastic, often used to seal the bag or keep its shape. The easiest place to start is the packaging. Brands that use genuinely plastic-free tea bags usually say so clearly, using phrases like plastic free, 100% paper, or home compostable. Be careful with general terms such as biodegradable, as these don’t always mean the tea bag is free from plastic.

The design of the tea bag can also tell you a lot. Pyramid or mesh tea bags are commonly made with nylon or plant-based plastics, which means they aren’t truly plastic free. Flat, folded paper tea bags, especially those that are unbleached, are much more likely to be plastic free. Even then, it’s worth checking whether the string and tag are also plastic free, as these parts are sometimes overlooked.

If you’re still unsure, a simple at-home test can help. When a dry paper tea bag is burned, it will behave like paper and turn to ash. Tea bags that contain plastic tend to melt or shrink and often give off a chemical smell. While this isn’t something you’ll want to do often, it can be a useful way to confirm whether a tea bag contains plastic.

Choosing plastic free tea bags helps reduce plastic pollution and avoids microplastics ending up in your cup of tea. By checking labels carefully, paying attention to tea bag materials, and choosing brands that are transparent about being plastic free, you can make more informed and sustainable choices every time you brew a cup.