Compost or Not

Can I Compost Paper tea bags?

Yes

Paper tea bags can be composted.

What to Know

  • Most paper tea bags are compostable, but some may contain synthetic fibers or be treated with chemicals
  • Remove any staples, tags, or strings before composting
  • Avoid tea bags with a shiny coating, as these may contain plastic

Tips

  • Tear the tea bags open and empty the tea leaves directly into the compost for faster decomposition
  • If unsure about the bag material, you can compost just the tea leaves
  • Wet tea bags can be added to your 'greens' in the compost pile