Plant Based Tea Bags

Our tea bags are made from plant-based PLA mesh (polylactic acid), derived from fermented plant starch and manufactured for food contact use.

The mesh is made from plant-derived PLA. It is not paper and does not rely on petroleum-based nylon. It is designed to remain stable in boiling water for the duration of a normal infusion.

We use mesh because whole leaves need space. Kūmarahou, kawakawa and mānuka leaf expand as they steep. The mesh allows water to move freely through the leaf rather than compressing it flat. This supports proper extraction and a clear expression of the attractive plant matter in the cup.

Composting and Disposal

The mesh is industrially compostable.

Industrial composting facilities operate at sustained temperatures above approximately 58–60°C under controlled conditions. In that environment, PLA breaks down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

Most home compost systems do not reach or maintain those temperatures. For that reason, the mesh should not be considered home compostable unless processed through a certified commercial facility.

If industrial or commercial organic waste collection is available in your area, used tea bags may be placed there in accordance with local guidance.

If that option is not available, you can open the tea bag, place the spent leaves into home compost or garden soil, and dispose of the empty mesh with general household waste.

This keeps the plant material returning to soil while managing the mesh appropriately based on the infrastructure that is available to you.