• Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series of recycling Q&A tips from Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland. Got a question or idea for a recycling tip? Contact Jarland at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org.

Q: What Should We Do About Tea Bag Wrappers?

Greetings!

I’ve been gradually reading the new 2020 recycling guide you sent out.  It seems very good and comprehensive. Thank you!

However, one small question at the moment:

I just opened a new box of tea. Each tea bag comes in an individual wrapper. The inside is shiny foil, and the outside is a slick shiny surface with a colored printed description on it.

Would such a bag go in with metal recycling like aluminum foil or (in the trash)?

I know that ideally I should only buy tea in bulk and store it in glass jars. That will be my goal for some time when/if I can get organized!

Thanks if you have a chance to reply.

— Mary

A: Tea Bag Wrappers Are NOT Recyclable Because …

Hi Mary!

Thank you for your diligence and commitment to reducing waste and recycling right!

Tea bag wrappers of any kind are not recyclable and should go in the trash, for the following reasons:

1. The ones you describe are usually not foil at all but silver plastic, like chip bags and candy wrappers, and are not recyclable.
2. Paper tea bag wrappers are often plastic coated, making them not recyclable.
3. And even if they were truly only plain paper, they are too small to be captured in the sorting process and end up in the “fines” at the end and go to the landfill anyway.

You could get crafty and make something out of the wrappers! See this fun Easter idea.

As a side note, tea bags themselves are compostable, tag and all, if you have a backyard compost bin. But they are not recyclable, so trash if you don’t compost.

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• Recycling Q&A: What Are The Rules For Recycling Wrapping Paper?