Frequently Asked Questions: The Safety of Our Tea Bags
1. What are Big Heart Tea Co.’s tea bags made from?
Our tea bags are made from Neo Soilon, a biodegradable mesh material derived from non-GMO sugarcane PLA (polylactic acid). Unlike traditional plastic-based tea bags, our material is compostable and free from petroleum-based plastics.
2. Do Big Heart Tea Co. tea bags release microplastics into my tea?
No. A 2021 study published on PubMed analyzed different types of tea bags—including nylon, mixed paper/polypropylene, and biodegradable PLA-based bags. The study found that nylon and polypropylene-based tea bags released significant microplastics into the tea, while the PLA-based biodegradable tea bag showed no detectable plastic residue in the brewed tea. 📖 Read the study: PubMed Study on Microplastic Release
3. Is PLA a plastic?
PLA (polylactic acid) is classified as a bioplastic, meaning it is derived from plants (corn or sugarcane) rather than petroleum. While it is a polymer, PLA is fundamentally different from traditional plastic because it is biodegradable and breaks down in industrial composting conditions. Unlike conventional plastics that persist in the environment for hundreds of years, PLA degrades into natural compounds like lactic acid and CO₂ under the right conditions.
4. What happens when PLA tea bags break down?
PLA does not create persistent microplastics. If small PLA fragments were to form, they naturally break down through hydrolysis (water exposure), transforming into biodegradable small molecules like lactic acid, which microbes can consume. This means PLA does not accumulate as permanent microplastic pollution in the body or environment. 📖 Read more: BusinessWire Report on PLA Breakdown
5. Have Big Heart Tea Co. tea bags been tested for plastic shedding?
Yes! PLA tea bags have been lab-tested by industry experts to confirm that they do not shed plastic chemicals into brewed tea. Unlike nylon or PET tea bags, which can break down and release billions of microplastic particles, PLA tea bags remain intact and do not leach synthetic plastic particles. 📖 Read more: Speedwell Coffee Report on PLA Safety
6. Do PLA tea bags contain harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates?
No. PLA is naturally free of BPA, phthalates, and heavy metal catalysts, which are common concerns in petroleum-based plastics. Independent testing found that our tea bag material does not leach BPA or phthalates, even at highly sensitive detection limits (2–3 ppm). Additionally, because PLA is derived from plant starches, it does not contain pesticide residues or toxic chemicals from synthetic plastic manufacturing. 📖 Read more: Ethical Consumer Report on PLA & Plastic-Free Tea
7. Can I compost your tea bags?
Yes! Our PLA tea bags are compostable in industrial composting facilities, where they break down into CO₂, water, and biomass. While they require high heat and humidity to degrade efficiently, they are a much more sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, which persist in landfills for centuries. If an industrial composting facility is unavailable in your area, the best disposal method is to place them in your compost bin and allow time for natural decomposition.
8. How do your tea bags compare to traditional tea bag materials?
To make it easy to understand the differences, we’ve created this comparison chart to illustrate how different tea bag materials behave:
9. Are Big Heart Tea Co. tea bags safe?
Yes! Based on manufacturer documentation, scientific research, and independent testing, there is no evidence that our tea bags release toxins when steeped in hot water. Our PLA-based tea bags are food-safe, biodegradable, and do not contribute to the growing issue of microplastic pollution.