Reducing waste is something that we should all be trying to do, including in the tea industry. Tea manufacturers, sellers and consumers are increasingly aware of potential ways to minimize, reuse or recycle the various leftovers created when tea is produced, packaged and drunk. Teabags in particular are voluminous in number and can be responsible for a lot of waste if you don’t find alternative uses for them.
Teabags may not seem like a major threat to the world. They are small and seem that they should easily break down when thrown away. This does, however, depend on the materials used. Some are fully biodegradable and can easily be disposed of in a compost bin. Others contain plastic, so are not compostable and may release potentially harmful chemicals as they degrade. Knowing what materials go into your teabags and what will happen to them after they have been used is part of running an ethical business.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is a creative form of recycling where you come up with new uses for old things. There are lots of interesting ways to put used or expired teabags to work. It is easier and safer when the bags are unbleached and free of staples, string and other extras. You could just throw them in the compost if they are plastic-free, which could lead to some beautiful flowers down the line, but other options include:
Cleaning
Add teabags to the water when soaking greasy, dirty pans, then use more teabags to give them a gentle scrub. Leftover tealeaves can be mixed with baking soda to make a cleaning product for your carpet.
Skincare:
Cool the bags in the fridge and place over your eyes to alleviate puffiness and dark circles. Tea and teabags have actually been used in multiple skincare contexts, such as added to hot water to create steam that can open pores and ease acne, in moisturizer, or to alleviate the pain and itchiness of bites, rashes and sunburn. They have also been used to make hair shiny and hydrated.
Reducing odors:
Some people have used teabags as a form of air freshener because of their ability to absorb bad odors. Hang one in the cupboard, tuck it into some gym shoes or leave it at the back of the fridge or in a drawer. Your belongings will not start smelling like tea, but they may lose sweaty or rotten smells. The teabag does need to be dry for this to work.
Flavoring:
If you love tea, you know the many distinctive flavors that are available, some of which will infuse the teabag. There is also a pleasant, earthy note that can make a tasty addition not just to weak pots of tea that need a little boost, but also soups, stews and other foods that could do with some subtle extra seasoning. They may even affect the tenderness of meat.
There are many steps that manufacturers and white-label tea businesses can take to reduce the waste caused by the production and drinking of tea. Upcycling teabags are just one of them, but the many creative opportunities it represents could make a significant impact on many aspects of your customers’ homes and lives.