*EXCITING NEWS ALERT*
THE WORLD’S first Plastic Free Trust Mark has been launched today in a move that could revolutionise how shoppers buy their food and drink. The brainchild of environmental campaign group A Plastic Planet, the Trust Mark will be awarded to food and drink products that are packaged without plastic.
Oh and guess what, teapigs are the FIRST tea brand to be awarded the Plastic Free Trust Mark – something we are all pretty chuffed about!
The revelation that 96% of the nation’s teabags contain plastic, caused huge waves in the tea industry, however our tea temples have always been plastic-free. Made from corn-starch and 100% biodegradable - you can pop them in with your food waste collection where they will break down within 12 weeks (best avoid putting them in home compost, as they do need high heat and pressure to break down - which won't be met at home). Late last year we also switched our inner plastic bag (that keeps your tea nice and fresh) to a new wonder material called Natureflex which is made from wood pulp and suitable for home composting – total game changer!
Related article: Is there plastic in our tea and packaging?
Related article: How to tell if your pack is Natureflex?
Designed to sit clearly on the front of the pack, the Trust Mark will instantly inform and empower consumers to make plastic-free choices. The confusion around different logos, and abundance of plastic packaging in the supermarkets means that those with innovative packaging will be nice and easy to spot.
Trust Mark-accredited packaging will include materials such as carton board, wood pulp, glass, metal and certified-compostable biomaterials.
A Plastic Planet Co-Founder Sian Sutherland said: “Now we all know the damage our addiction to plastic has caused, we want to do the right thing and buy plastic-free. But it is harder than you think and a clear no-nonsense label is much needed.
“Our Trust Mark cuts through the confusion of symbols and labels and tells you just one thing – this packaging is plastic-free and therefore guilt-free. Finally shoppers can be part of the solution not the problem.”
We’re SO proud to be adding A Plastic Planet’s Trust Mark to our packaging – our packs of 15s, and 50s have both been accredited and logos will be appearing out in the wild later this year. Hopefully this is just the start of exciting things to come – more innovation, and more likeminded brands and consumers making positive switches towards reducing our reliance on single use plastic. Watch this space!
Discover our range of plastic-free tea here
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