Teapigs
Teapigs is the sharpest illustration of the category's central tension. Its "tea temple" is made of Soilon - a PLA (cornstarch-derived) mesh - and the brand holds a Plastic-Free Trust Mark and calls the temples plastic-free. To its credit, Teapigs is upfront that the temples are NOT home-compostable and need industrial/council food-waste composting. But PLA is a bioplastic: a synthetic polymer that still sheds micro- and nanoplastics when steeped. A "plastic-free" mark on a PLA pyramid is the greenwashing case study, not a clean bill of health.
How clear are their specs?
Openly states the temples are Soilon/PLA and not home-compostable - good disclosure - even as it markets them as "plastic-free," which is the contested part.
Products to avoid
Documented so you know what to skip — each still has a full breakdown and sources.