Commercial Tea Bags with Microplastics: Why (and How) to Avoid Them

Mar 18, 2025

“Are there microplastics in tea bags?” I spent all last week answering this question in my many tea and herb groups on Facebook.

We often get asked about the safety of tea bags and always recommend avoiding them due to plastics. In fact, microplastics are the main reason that we only sell loose-leaf tea at Farmhouse Teas and don’t package our tea in bags even though we have been asked to do so. We believe tea bags are for an emergency or while out and about when you don't have a tea strainer option available. Loose-leaf tea is the safest option, especially when steeped using a stainless steel in-cup strainer or tea press!

Today we’ll be covering everything you need to know about microplastics in tea bags and how to avoid them. The good news is that there are plenty of healthier alternatives to commercial tea bags with microplastics! With the right products, you can say goodbye to microplastic tea bags for good and brew the perfect cup of tea any time –– without the unnecessary health risks.

The Legal Stuff

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What are Microplastics? Where are They Found?

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size (Source). Usually the result of larger plastic products breaking down over time, they are also sometimes manufactured to be added to other items.

Unfortunately, microplastics are found nearly everywhere in the world. Because they are so small, they travel easily through water and air and make their way into various products that we use in our everyday lives.

These tiny plastics have been found in the food and beverages that we consume, the products that we buy, and even in the bodies of humans and animals!

Commercial tea bags are no exception, and a recent study found that tea bags can release between 8 million and 1.2 billion particles (!!) of microplastics and nanoplastics per millimeter when steeped in hot water (Source). Imagine how much plastic could build up in a person’s body if they had no idea that there were microplastics in tea bags!

While microplastics are tiny in size, they can build up in your body over time, leading to long-term effects. As such, tea bags with microplastics in them are a concern that all regular tea drinkers should be aware of.

Why are They Bad?

Not only do microplastics pollute the beautiful earth that God gave us, but they also negatively impact our health.

Research on the effects of commercial tea bags with microplastics suggests that they may be associated with various health issues, including endocrine disorders, digestive problems, metabolic concerns, and even the risk of cancer (Source).

How Do You Detox Microplastics?

Knowing how to detox our bodies from damaging substances can help us take care of our health naturally. Below are some simple steps that you can take to fight the harmful effects of microplastics.

Eat Wholefoods

Eating a whole foods diet, in season, with local foods, healthy fats, and high fiber can naturally help you eliminate waste from your body, with an extra focus on the high fiber, especially insoluble fiber like beans.

Stay Active

Exercise will allow you to sweat out toxins in your body that may have built up from ingesting microplastics.

Limit Your Plastic Usage

One of the most important things you can do to detox microplastics from your body is to limit how much you expose yourself to. After all if we stop putting them in that is half of the battle! Eliminating toxic products like commercial tea bags with microplastics is a very simple step to take, and thankfully, there are plenty of safer alternatives out there!

The Best Alternatives to Commercial Tea Bags with Microplastics

Below you’ll find all of our Farmhouse favorites that you can use as alternatives to tea bags with microplastics. We believe products made from stainless steel and glass are the healthiest options because they are non-toxic and plastic-free.

French Press a.k.a. Tea Press

A French press is one of the best ways to brew tea safely! Our stainless steel press and glass press are both made from high-quality materials and won’t leach chemicals the way that traditional tea bags do. We like to use this method when making more than one cup of the same kind of tea.

In-cup Stainless Steel Infuser

Our favorite way to brew a single cup of tea is to use an in-cup stainless steel tea strainer. Our collapsible stainless steel infuser is great for traveling, but our absolute favorite is the easy-to-use stainless steel in-cup infuser, which is both a healthier alternative to tea bags.

Listen, the convenience of tea bags just isn’t worth it if it means risking your health. And if ease of use is a real concern, we talk all about how ditching tea bags doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience completely in a recent post — you really can have it all with a bit of forethought and effort.

While tea bags might be the first thing people think of when it comes to drinking tea, there are plenty of other convenient options like travel mugs with in-cup infusers. Cups with built-in infusers are the perfect solution if convenience is important to you, but you still want to be safe and not use tea bags with microplastics!

Loose-leaf Tea Filter Bags

Perfect for travel or busy on-the-go days, our Farmhouse paper filters are 100% natural wood pulp and can be used to brew loose-leaf tea easily. These unbleached, biodegradable filters are made without harmful plastics and are a healthier option compared to commercial tea bags with microplastics. They do have some glue holding them together but if you are going to go with a tea bag these are as healthy as they get! They even look similar to traditional tea bags!

Commercial Tea Bags With Microplastics Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to worry about microplastics in tea bags?

Yes, anyone who drinks tea regularly should be aware of the risk of microplastics and take it seriously. Although more research is still being done on this topic, ingesting microplastics has been linked to various health issues.

How do microplastics get into tea?

Most of the microplastics in tea bags come from the materials used to make and seal the tea bags. The plastics are released when tea bags are placed in hot water.

Does loose-leaf tea contain microplastics?

Loose-leaf tea is free from microplastics. Concerns related to tea bags and microplastics are related to the tea bags themselves, not the tea leaves.

Steeping Tea the Most Healthful Way

Because microplastic tea bags can have negative effects on your health, we recommend avoiding commercial tea bags altogether. The safest way to make tea is by preparing loose-leaf tea in a glass or stainless steel brewer.

At Farmhouse Teas, we have everything you need to brew tea worry-free. You deserve to enjoy every cup, knowing that it’s nourishing and not harming your body. Want to learn more about brewing loose-leaf tea? Sign up for our FREE Tea Steeping 101 Guide with freebies included!

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