Traditional Medicinals Tea Bags
A folded double-chamber abaca bag that seals without any plastic - organic cotton string, FSC paper tag, and at most a small aluminum staple.
The verdict: Plastic-free
The bag is abaca (manila hemp) plus FSC-certified wood pulp, formed into a double-chamber shape whose fold holds it shut - which is how Traditional Medicinals avoids the thermoplastic sealant used in cheap "pillow" bags. The string is organic, Non-GMO-verified cotton and the tag is FSC paper; the closure is either a cotton knot or a small aluminum staple. That staple is metal, not plastic, and sits at the top of the bag rather than in the steep path, so it doesn't put plastic in your cup.
Verification: Manufacturer confirmed
What it's made of
| Part | Material | Food contact |
|---|---|---|
| filter bag abaca (manila hemp) + FSC wood pulp; folded double-chamber, non-heat-sealed | Paper | Yes primary 🔥 |
| string organic, Non-GMO Project Verified | Cotton | No |
| tag FSC-certified | Paper | No |
| staple aluminum, at the top of the bag (some lines use a cotton knot instead) - metal, not plastic | Metal unspecified | No |
Traditional Medicinals sells single-herb and functional wellness teas in a distinctive double-chamber bag - two pouches that let water circulate around the herb. Each bag carries an organic cotton string and an FSC paper tag, and the range is transitioning to a compostable outer wrapper.
Pros
- Double-chamber fold seals the bag without any thermoplastic sealant
- Organic Non-GMO cotton string and FSC paper tag
- Independent lab (Mamavation) found non-detect fluorine on the chamomile bag
Cons
- The closure may be a small aluminum staple - metal rather than plastic, but not compostable
- Outer wrappers only recently began switching to a certified-compostable film
Categories: Tea Bags
Sources
Every material claim above is backed by these. This is the scattered info we centralized.
- manufacturer https://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/blogs/ppj/whats-in-your-cup bag fiber, non-heat-sealed construction, cotton string, tag/staple detail
- manufacturer https://traditionalmedicinals.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/8225324634011 FAQ - abaca + wood pulp bag, non-heat-sealed, states no plastic
- review https://mamavation.com/food/teas-pfas-forever-chemicals-guide.html EPA-certified-lab fluorine screen - non-detect on the Traditional Medicinals chamomile bag
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