In a world of sustainability, compostability and plastic-free products, Napier Trade Aid has adopted the latest trend and is now offering completely plant-based teabags.
Many tea bag brands in New Zealand incorporate a fine mesh of plastic (polypropylene) to strengthen and seal the bag. That is now a thing of the past for Trade Aid.
"Why have a cup of tea unless it's a 'good' cup of tea," says manager Maureen Kennedy.
"Apart from the good taste, when you've finished with it you can now throw the bag in the compost — you don't have to clog up anything."
The plant-based teabags are certified compostable in industrial composting systems and can be disposed of in home composts and worm farms. The new-look teabags are sealed with PLA (Polylactic acid), which is a corn-based bio plastic.