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Health | May 24, 2019 | C. Xu

How to Avoid Microplastics In Tea Bags

To avoid microplastics in tea, choose loose leaf tea brewed in a glass, ceramic, or stainless steel infuser instead of plastic or nylon tea bags. Research has found that certain plastic tea bags can release billions of microplastic particles into a single cup of hot water, making loose leaf brewing the most reliable way to keep plastic out of your tea.

The microplastics-in-tea issue gained widespread attention after a 2019 study from McGill University found that a single plastic tea bag steeped at brewing temperature released approximately 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into the water. While the long-term health effects are still being studied, many tea drinkers now prefer to avoid the risk entirely by switching to loose leaf tea. Below, Senbird Tea explains where these microplastics come from and how to brew without them.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny fragments of non-biodegradable plastic less than 5 millimeters in size. They come from the breakdown of larger plastic products, synthetic textiles, and—relevant to tea drinkers—food packaging and tea bag materials. Microplastics have been found in drinking water, seafood, table salt, and now tea. While research on their health effects in humans is ongoing, studies in the journal Environmental Science & Technology have linked microplastic exposure to inflammation and cellular stress in laboratory settings.

How Microplastics End Up in Your Tea

Many tea brands use tea bags made from or sealed with polypropylene, a type of plastic that helps the bag hold its shape during brewing. When these bags are exposed to hot water (typically 175–212°F), the plastic begins to break down at the microscopic level, releasing microplastic and nanoplastic particles directly into the liquid. Even tea bags that appear to be made of paper often contain a plastic sealant along the edges. Premium pyramid-shaped tea bags are frequently made entirely from nylon or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which can release even more particles due to their larger surface area in contact with hot water.

How to Avoid Microplastics in Tea

The simplest and most effective approach is to switch to loose leaf tea entirely. Here are the specific steps:

Choose loose leaf tea. Loose leaf teas from Senbird Tea are packaged without any plastic tea bags. You get whole or minimally processed tea leaves with no risk of microplastic contamination from packaging.
Use a non-plastic infuser. Brew your loose leaf tea using a stainless steel, ceramic, or glass infuser or teapot. Avoid silicone infusers at very high temperatures as a precaution.
Check tea bag materials. If you prefer the convenience of tea bags, look for brands that use unbleached paper bags with no plastic sealant, or compostable plant-based materials like PLA (polylactic acid) derived from corn starch.
Avoid nylon pyramid bags. These premium-looking bags are made from plastic (nylon-6 or PET) and release more microplastics than flat paper-style bags due to their construction and surface area.
Lower the water temperature when possible. Higher temperatures accelerate plastic breakdown. While you should still brew at the correct temperature for your tea type, avoiding unnecessary overheating reduces microplastic release from any plastic that may be present.

Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags: Microplastic Comparison

	Loose Leaf Tea	Paper Tea Bags	Nylon/Plastic Tea Bags
Microplastics	None	Low (sealant may contain some)	High (billions per cup)
Flavor Quality	Best (full leaf expansion)	Moderate (limited expansion)	Moderate
Environmental Impact	Minimal (compostable leaves)	Low-Moderate	High (non-biodegradable)
Cost per Cup	Often lower (reusable leaves)	Moderate	Higher (premium bags)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all tea bags contain microplastics?

Not all, but many do. Paper tea bags often use a polypropylene heat seal, and premium pyramid bags are typically made from nylon or PET plastic. Some brands now use fully compostable materials, but you need to check the packaging carefully. Loose leaf tea avoids the issue entirely.

How many microplastics are in a cup of tea from a plastic tea bag?

A 2019 McGill University study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that a single plastic tea bag released approximately 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into a single cup brewed at 95°C.

Are microplastics in tea harmful?

The health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being actively researched. Laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation and cellular stress, but long-term human health impacts are not yet fully understood. Many health-conscious consumers choose to minimize exposure as a precaution.

Does Senbird Tea use plastic in packaging?

Senbird Tea sells loose leaf tea and matcha powder, not tea bags. Our teas are packaged without any plastic tea bag material, so there is zero risk of microplastic contamination from the brewing process.

Is loose leaf tea better than tea bags overall?

In most cases, yes. Loose leaf tea offers better flavor (the leaves have room to fully expand), more control over brewing strength, lower environmental impact, and no microplastic risk. It is also often more cost-effective per cup since quality loose leaves can be re-steeped multiple times.