New & Improved Sachets on the Way!
As we previously reported back in October 2019, we have been working for some time to replace our nylon sachets with greener packaging that is better for the environment and for people. Sadly, COVID-19 threw a viral wrench in our progress.
That’s why we are absolutely thrilled to report that we have three new sachet machines delivered, installed and up and running! Many thanks are owed to one intrepid Japanese salesman who was able to make this possible -- domo arigato gozaimasu! These machines only use Neo Soilon material, which is a trade name for polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based polymer that is derived from sugarcane fibers. For you science geeks, here’s how it’s made:
- First, the raw natural material, such as sugarcane, undergoes wet milling, where the plant’s starch is isolated and separated.
- Following this extraction, the starch is mixed and heated with enzymes and other chemicals to release dextrose (D-glucose), a type of sugar.
- Then, the dextrose is fermented, producing lactic acid monomers, which polylactic acid is primarily made of (as you might be able to guess from the name).
- The lactic acid can then be processed into PLA material in two ways: by condensing the lactic acid into a lactide and then using a polymerization.
- Then it is spun into a filament, which is woven into the material.
Because the material comes from sugarcane, that means there are no petrochemicals and no genetically modified organisms (non-GMO). Big improvement. Also, since it is fermented, there is no sugar left from that cane, which means it is safe for all including diabetics.
It can be composted, although it does need strict conditions which are usually not found at your home. We will work to make it easy to compost at home. And speaking of composting… any particles that might end inside humans decompose inside the body.
We are accumulating the fabric and will roll it out soon. The machines that used nylon will be converted when we run out of nylon later this year.
This is a solid and exciting improvement from where we have been for the past 20 years. As we continue working toward making these improved sachets easily compostable, a reminder that we do offer loose tea for those who prefer not to use sachets or tea bags. In the meantime, cheers to progress!
20 comments
Leslie Mertz
Alana Joli Abbott
Thank you for taking these steps for a better future, Harney & Sons!
Thank you for taking these steps for a better future, Harney & Sons!
Nola
I’m so excited about this! Glad you are FINALLY able to make this change.
I’m so excited about this! Glad you are FINALLY able to make this change.
Donna Fisher
THANK YOU! It has always distressed me to use your nylon sachets but bc i love you green tea with citrus so well, i have purchased them anyway. I compost the tea leaves and discard the nylon into the landfill. I am ecstatic to know I need not waste my time and energy doing that anymore. Most importantly, tho, Mother Earth appreciates your investment, Harney brothers.
Arigato, intrepid Japanese salesman. I wish I knew your name. It would be so much more important to me than the name of the tradename for polylactic acid altho that bit of chemical alchemy was a fun fact to learn about today!
Thank you for the great teas, Misters Harney!
THANK YOU! It has always distressed me to use your nylon sachets but bc i love you green tea with citrus so well, i have purchased them anyway. I compost the tea leaves and discard the nylon into the landfill. I am ecstatic to know I need not waste my time and energy doing that anymore. Most importantly, tho, Mother Earth appreciates your investment, Harney brothers.
Arigato, intrepid Japanese salesman. I wish I knew your name. It would be so much more important to me than the name of the tradename for polylactic acid altho that bit of chemical alchemy was a fun fact to learn about today!
Thank you for the great teas, Misters Harney!
Ayyūb Muhammad
Thank you, I look forward to experiencing this change.
Thank you, I look forward to experiencing this change.
Megan
I love that you also mentioned you will be converting the old machines when they are no longer useful. It shows that Harney truly cares about the planet, and are not simply “green-washing” to make more sales. You guys rock!!
I love that you also mentioned you will be converting the old machines when they are no longer useful. It shows that Harney truly cares about the planet, and are not simply “green-washing” to make more sales. You guys rock!!
Jennifer M
SOOO excited by this update – I’ve been limiting my satchet use, I’m excited that I’ll be able to use them more frequently for those times when loose leaf tea is a bit of a hassle!
SOOO excited by this update – I’ve been limiting my satchet use, I’m excited that I’ll be able to use them more frequently for those times when loose leaf tea is a bit of a hassle!
Tabitha
Can you share what those strict conditions are? We compost, and I drink a lot of tea, albeit mostly looseleaf. I’d love to know if I could put the new sachets in our compost.
Can you share what those strict conditions are? We compost, and I drink a lot of tea, albeit mostly looseleaf. I’d love to know if I could put the new sachets in our compost.
Roseanne
Glad for something more biodegradable. However I am allergic to sugar cane. Unusual but causes skin and respiratory issues. I normally by loose tea but the CBD teas only come in sachets, correct?
Glad for something more biodegradable. However I am allergic to sugar cane. Unusual but causes skin and respiratory issues. I normally by loose tea but the CBD teas only come in sachets, correct?
Armen
Thank you so much for making the effort to make a better tea bag and for listening to your tea drinkers! We love Harney teas!!!
Thank you so much for making the effort to make a better tea bag and for listening to your tea drinkers! We love Harney teas!!!
Violet Poynter
With this improvement in production of sachets, if Webster were defining tea that has integrity of product and commitment to quality of manufacturing,
my recommendation would be: Skip the words. Post a picture of the Harney’s!
With this improvement in production of sachets, if Webster were defining tea that has integrity of product and commitment to quality of manufacturing,
my recommendation would be: Skip the words. Post a picture of the Harney’s!
Demi
Thank you so much, Harney!!! I am so excited for these new sachets, and thank you for being transparent about the process.
Thank you so much, Harney!!! I am so excited for these new sachets, and thank you for being transparent about the process.
Doreen Duley
Thank you so much for your continuing efforts to provide excellent teas and care for our planet. This is such good news.
Thank you so much for your continuing efforts to provide excellent teas and care for our planet. This is such good news.
Kay Wren
This is REALLY GOOD NEWS. I am out of loose leaf Earl Grey Imperial and looks like you are too, but I will NOT order the sachets. So I wait.
This is REALLY GOOD NEWS. I am out of loose leaf Earl Grey Imperial and looks like you are too, but I will NOT order the sachets. So I wait.
Tee King
As someone who was arrested for protesting (stopping three coal trains on their way to China), I’ve been an activist for the planet for some time now. And though I drink primarily loose leaf teas, a tea sachet is sometimes the only option. Thank you for taking climate change seriously and making necessary changes. And thanks for ensuring much of my day is content with a good cup of tea.
As someone who was arrested for protesting (stopping three coal trains on their way to China), I’ve been an activist for the planet for some time now. And though I drink primarily loose leaf teas, a tea sachet is sometimes the only option. Thank you for taking climate change seriously and making necessary changes. And thanks for ensuring much of my day is content with a good cup of tea.
Julie A Campbell
Love, love, love Harney Teas!
Appreciate your never ending efforts to keep our tea drinking flavorful, safe and efficient for our world.
Keep up the good work and wonderful flavors!!!
Love, love, love Harney Teas!
Appreciate your never ending efforts to keep our tea drinking flavorful, safe and efficient for our world.
Keep up the good work and wonderful flavors!!!
Julie A Campbell
Love, love, love Harney Teas!
Appreciate your never ending efforts to keep our tea drinking flavorful, safe and efficient for our world.
Keep up the good work and wonderful flavors!!!
Love, love, love Harney Teas!
Appreciate your never ending efforts to keep our tea drinking flavorful, safe and efficient for our world.
Keep up the good work and wonderful flavors!!!
Debra Scholl
The sachets give a stronger flavored tea. I have used the regular tea bags and the flavor is not as strong. Will the new ones be as strong?
The sachets give a stronger flavored tea. I have used the regular tea bags and the flavor is not as strong. Will the new ones be as strong?
Rachel Monfredo
Nice explanation (from one who teach chemical engineering labs, aka science geek ;) Glad to learn of this effort!
Nice explanation (from one who teach chemical engineering labs, aka science geek ;) Glad to learn of this effort!
Karen Smith
I’m so excited to hear this! Thank you for the update.
I’m so excited to hear this! Thank you for the update.