If making a shift to more eco-friendly habits seems like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be. Remember, small changes can make a big impact. For those of us who love our daily cup of tea, making small sustainable choices to reduce waste is an easy way to create more eco-friendly habits. Our mission is to make eco-friendly brewing as easy as possible.
The Tea Bag Dilemma
You can find tea in approximately 80% of American households, and over 159 million Americans drink tea on any given day. A significant portion of this tea consumption involves tea bags – yikes!
A simple rule of thumb for being more environmentally conscious is to avoid anything that is single use (like tea bags). Not only do single use tea bags contain plastic and other harmful materials, the quality of the tea pales in comparison to its eco-friendly counterpart, loose leaf tea.
Here’s 3 reasons why loose leaf tea is better for the environment and how you can seamlessly make the switch to sustainable brewing.
1. Minimizing Packaging
One of the most straightforward benefits of loose leaf tea is its ability to minimize waste from unnecessary materials. Unlike tea bags, which are often partially made of plastic and come individually wrapped in additional plastic, loose leaf tea typically comes in bulk. Plus, tea tastes way better outside of the tea bag, allowing the leaves to fully expand and release their rich flavors.
Switching to loose leaf tea can significantly cut down on the amount of waste we generate every day. This not only helps reduce landfill contributions but also limits the demand for resources required to produce disposable packaging and bags. So it’s a win-win – less waste, more taste!
2. Lowering Carbon Footprint
The production process of tea bags – from the manufacturing of the bags and packaging to their distribution – contributes to higher carbon emissions. In contrast, loose leaf tea generally requires less processing and packaging.
Because it’s available in bulk, it reduces the need for frequent transportation if purchased in large quantities, thereby decreasing the overall carbon footprint associated with its distribution and retail.
By choosing loose leaf, you're not only enjoying a fresher, better-tasting brew, but you're also making a simple yet impactful choice to help the environment.
3. Enhancing Quality
The quality of loose leaf tea leaves is typically higher compared to the tea used in bags, which often just contain dust from the whole leaves. Microplastics in tea bags have also become a major concern as studies show a single plastic tea bag can release around 11.6 billion microplastic particles into a cup of tea. These particles, originating from materials like nylon and PET, can accumulate in the body and potentially cause health issues.
Not only does loose leaf mean a richer and more flavorful cup of tea, but it also enhances the efficiency of resource use. High-quality loose leaf tea can often be steeped multiple times, extending its life and reducing the quantity needed per cup.
Even if you are just steeping it once, you’ll enjoy a healthier, more flavorful brew than tea bags and guilt-free disposal.
Bonus: Saving Money
Now, you may be thinking, “this all sounds great, but isn’t loose leaf tea expensive?” The answer is not necessarily. Loose leaf tea may cost slightly more up front, but you’re getting more bang for your buck.
For example, one bag of Bruetta loose leaf tea is $15 and provides at least 15 servings, making it just one dollar per serving. So you can enjoy premium quality tea, soak up the health benefits and make a positive impact on the environment all with your daily brew.
And, for the busy brewers who usually pick up loose leaf tea from coffee or tea shops when they’re on the go, our tumbler offers a convenient alternative to overpriced tea. You'll save time by avoiding the need to park, wait in line, and order AND save money without sacrificing a perfect morning brew.
Bottom Line
We’re all about making a positive impact on the environment… But we’re also about quick and easy. That’s why we created our tumblers with a built-in filter lid, so no matter where you’re going or what you have on your plate, all you have to do is scoop your tea of choice in, add hot water, start sipping and let the BruLid do the rest.
By choosing loose leaf tea, you can enjoy a superior brew while contributing positively to environmental efforts. At Bruetta, all of our tea is "green," including our black and herbal. This simple switch is an easy step towards a more sustainable lifestyle, proving that even our smallest habits can have a significant impact on our ecological footprint.