Bigelow Tea: Sustainability Through Paper Recycling
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 by Ross
Bigelow Tea is a third-generation company that has consistently focused on sustainability as a way to diminish our impact on the environment. Our plans revolve around total maximization of resources while still concentrating on providing a terrific product.
One of the facets of our plan involves large-scale optimization of paper goods. Nearly every piece of packaging, from the shipping carton to the tea bag itself, requires the use of paper. We saw this issue, and sought to get the most out of every piece of pulp we use. Our paper filter bag is made with paper from entirely sustainable tree systems that are closely monitored by government agencies to prevent abuse. The outer cases are completely recyclable and biodegradable, and can be reused 6 times. We even made sure that the suppliers of our cartons subscribed to certain strict government standards and used certain trees in producing the product that we then buy from them. This supplier recycles over 60,000 tons of paper annually.
All in all, 85% of our packaging is biodegradable and recyclable. This is important, especially when you consider that almost 1/3 of the waste generated [in] the U.S. is packaging, and that U.S. businesses now use about 21 million tons of paper every year. That’s about 175 pounds of paper for each American.
According to Wikipedia, it is estimated that by 2020 paper mills will produce almost 500,000,000 tons of paper and paperboard per year, so it is important that we remain diligent about our recycling policies and become an example for other companies to follow.
No. 1 — March 25th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
That what I love about your company majority of your tea boxes are recycable I live in area of Los Angeles that they encourage recycling one bad there LOTS of company don’t imply on that like my Dove beauty products Olay and other companies
No. 2 — May 7th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Thanks for recycling, but what about the use of carcinogens in the tea bag making process. It seems that more and more filter paper contains them (i.e. epichlorohydrin) which becomes a carcinogen when it comes in contact with water. It would help knowing that Bigelow’s tea bags do not contain them.
No. 3 — May 11th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Alan,
Thanks for your comment and question.
Our papers are not coated with epichlorohydrin and do not contain any free epichlorohydrin in the product supplied.
Bigelow Consumer Service
No. 4 — October 15th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
How can I be sure that your tea bags do not contain epichlorolgydrin? You just saying it as an answer to a consumer comment is not good enough for me, respectfully.
What guarantee do I have that you do not use epicholorohydrin? This is for my personal information because I intend on starting to drink tea instead of all the coffee I am drinking, but do not want to take a chance if you really do use epichcholorhydrin.
What do you use to keep the paper strong if you do not use epichchlorohydrin?
Thanks,
Tracy
No. 5 — October 16th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Tracy,
You asked if our teabags contain epichlorohydrin.
Our papers are not coated with epichlorohydrin and do not contain any free epichlorohydrin in the product supplied.
However, according to our paper manufacturer, there is a polyamide epichlorohydrin based resin, used as a wet strength agent. Tea filter papers need to have strength in water otherwise the tea bag will break when put in water. To achieve the required wet strength, a small amount of so named wet strength agent is necessary to add during the production process of the tea filter papers. This wet strength agent is a polyamide epichlorohydrin based resin, which cross links and bonds to the paper during manufacture and is fully in compliance with the legal requirements for a raw material used for materials and articles to come in contact with food.
We hope this information is helpful to you.
Bigelow Consumer Service
No. 6 — October 26th, 2009 at 12:12 am
val: some truth in advertising to this inquiring physician (who works for the USG BTW)…it seems to me that your second reply to tracy re: epichlorhydrin is a complete turnaround from your initial reply to Alan…you first stated your product is not coated with the substance…then you say an “epichlorhydrin based resin” is used which is basically tantamount to using epichlorhydrin in your products…I am guessing that no tea bag manufacturer can do without a wet strength agent (else the bags come apart)…and if so, concerned individuals will have to resort to bag-free green tea…your company’s complete honesty to the inqury would, however, be greatly appreciated to honest questions from customers…
No. 7 — October 27th, 2009 at 6:49 am
Dear Dr. Chen,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your question. We regret any confusion that was caused by our response to your question. We have consulted our tea bag paper supplier to get you the most accurate answer possible. It is always our policy to be completely honest. Your question is highly technical and we needed to refer to our supplier for an answer. The following is our understanding:
1. We have been advised that our tea bag paper is not COATED with epichlorhydrin and do not contain any free epichlorohydrin.
2. Our supplier has advised us a small amount of an ‘epichlorhydrin based resin’ is used as a wet strength agent. The strength of the paper comes from the use of abbica fiber. To achieve the required wet strength, a small amount of resin is used. This is NOT a free epichlorohydrin. The resin cross links and bonds to the paper during the manufacturing process. The process is in full compliance with the legal requirements for a raw material used for materials used in contact with food.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Thank you again for taking the time to share your question with us.
Benay Shive, Director of Quality Assurance & Consumer Service
Bigelow Tea
No. 8 — January 5th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Thank you for that last response. I recently discovered your Pomegranate Pizzazz tea and EVERY person I have introduced to it has fallen in love with it. I am happy to hear I won’t have to worry about the potential carcinogenic effects of epichlorohydrin.
Thank you for taking to time to addressing that.
Loving your tea in Georgia,
-Robbie Lopez
No. 9 — May 30th, 2010 at 4:19 am
The BP oil spill is getting worst and destroying our Mother Earth every single day. We can’t do anything about this but just to watch our government solve the catastrophe. However, we can change a simple thing in our everyday lifestyles that will make a huge difference to our environment. How? Use these eco bags for your everyday shopping even in the restaurant. Did you know that we throw away about in average 3 plastic bags per day. This means, every year a single person is dumping roughly around 2,000 un-degradable bags into our Mother Earth. This huge amount of plastic bags into our previous land can be avoided just by using Green bags. These Green Supply bags are easy to store and use at any occasion. Please carry green bag with you everyday and refuse a plastic bag instead.