In this post, we shine a spotlight on our packaging. At PekoeTea, we are doing everything we can to reduce the impact of our packaging on the environment. We use several different forms of packaging for our products; here, we introduce the main types of packaging we use and how best to reuse, recycle, or compost them. If you can bring your own container into our store, you can even buy many of our most popular teas packaging free.
You can purchase most of our teas in caddies. These are made from aluminium, but we will soon switch to tin plate. Both the aluminium and tin plate caddies are recyclable. Just put them in with the rest of your recycling. You can also reuse them by bringing them into the shop and using them as a container for one of our packaging-free teas. As well as tin caddies, our teas can be purchased in card boxes. These are easily recycled by putting them in your recycling bin.
Within the caddies and boxes, our tea is kept fresh inside compostable liners. They are made from NatureFlex, a cellulose-based material derived from responsibly sourced wood pulp. They are fully compostable on your home compost heap.
Some of our teas come in larger 250g pouches. Buying in larger amounts reduces packaging usage. However, our large pouches are not yet plastic-free. They are recyclable, but not in most local authority recycling bins. Many Co-op stores across Edinburgh and over 2000 stores nationwide will recycle them alongside your other soft plastic waste: https://www.coop.co.uk/environment/soft-plastics.
The boxes we use for storing and transporting our products are all recyclable card. We reuse many of our storage boxes for mail-order parcels to cut down on the amount of card we use. The majority of our parcels go out in reused storage boxes. Our customers can recycle these boxes by popping them in the recycling bin.
Our plastic-free tea bags are made from a non-GMO cornstarch derivative called Poly Lactic Acid (PLA). They are biodegradable but not compostable on your own compost heap. Instead, pop them into your food waste bin (double-check that your local authority accepts them, Edinburgh does). Read more about our tea bags here: https://www.pekoetea.co.uk/blogs/blog/are-tea-bags-compostable-your-definitive-guide-2022?_pos=1&_sid=0b530de26&_ss=r.
While all of our packaging is recyclable and compostable, refilling your own container is an even better way to reduce your environmental footprint. If you can pop into our shop at 11 Leith Walk with a container of your choice or are happy to carry it home in a paper bag, you can enjoy any one (or more) of the following teas and infusions that we currently have available in our packaging free format:
Breakfast Blend, Lemongrass and Ginger, Chai Black, Earl Grey, Xin Yang Mao Jian, Jasmine Jin Hao, Russian Caravan, Mokalbari Assam, Kenilworth, Rooibos, Cherry and Peach Sencha, Gopaldhara TGBOP Darjeeling, Peppermint, Scottish Summer Fruits, Blue Lady and Orange Blossom Oolong.
By choosing packaging-free options, you can enjoy your favourite teas while helping us reduce waste and protect the environment.
Over the past few years, we have vastly reduced the amount of plastic in our packaging, with all packaging except the large pouches now plastic-free. Although not quite there yet, we still aim to be completely plastic-free in future. We also try to reduce our carbon footprint, for example, by using an electric van for transport. We will keep doing everything we can to become a more sustainable business and raise awareness of environmental issues that impact and arise from the tea industry.
