June 2023 Sachet Material Status Update

June 2023 Sachet Material Status Update

An update on our use of sugarcane sachet materials as of June 2023.
What Are the Main Types of Teas? Reading June 2023 Sachet Material Status Update 3 minutes Next Discovering Oolong Tea

Hello Harney Customers,

It's been a while since we've provided you with an update, so without further ado: 

Here at our production facility in Millerton, we have made good progress in our transition to replacing our nylon material for our teas packaged in sachets. We're pleased to say that 91.3% of our sachets are now using a sugarcane based material. The list of teas that are not using the sugarcane material are:

  • Hot Cinnamon Spice, Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice, Green Hot Cinnamon Spice, Herbal Hot Cinnamon Spice
  • Hot Apple Spice
  • Chamomile
  • Yellow & Blue 
  • Peppermint
  • Organic Green w/ Citrus and Ginkgo 
  • Organic Turmeric & Ginger 
  • White Peach Matcha, Very Berry Matcha, Roasted Buckwheat Matcha

We are still trying to figure out how to switch these remaining blends over and hope that in a few months we will be at 100% sugarcane sachet production.

The plant-based material we are using comes from sugarcane grown in Thailand. The sugarcane is fermented and bacteria eats the fermented sugar making lactic acid which is converted into a fiber that creates the mesh that holds in the tea but allows the liquid tea to flow to you.  So all sugar is converted and none remains in your sachets material, making it safe for diabetics and those concerned with sugar intake.

The sugarcane sachets are compostable, but in full transparency, it will not decompose well in your compost pile out back. This material needs more heat than a home compost pile can provide, in order breed enough bacteria to digest it. We have commissioned a study with the Cary Institute to see if we can solve this problem. 

**Update** We had a meeting with the scientists doing the compostability study at the Cary Institute of EcoSystems Studies. The study was done replicating a backyard compost pile. The control was a wooden popsicle stick. The last report showed some start of degradation of the sugarcane sachets. The string was gone, and some vegetation had broken through the sachets.   The control: the popsicle stock was close to intact. Even wood does not compost in a year . So some progress, we will see what another summer does . 
 
Please note that if you insist on composting these sachets, please cut up your sachet prior to composting.

We want to clarify that we are using very little petroleum-based nylon at this point. Any microparticles that might be released by the sugarcane material are digestible by your body, unlike in your compost heap. 

 

6 comments

Thelma Ibarra

I love this tea usually order one every time I go to the popular bookstore , I am happy that you company is changing the sachet bags to a safe one , is very appreciate

I love this tea usually order one every time I go to the popular bookstore , I am happy that you company is changing the sachet bags to a safe one , is very appreciate

Abigail

I recommend adding an update to your old blog post to point here, as many people there are asking: https://www.harney.com/blogs/news/sachet-material-update

I recommend adding an update to your old blog post to point here, as many people there are asking: https://www.harney.com/blogs/news/sachet-material-update

Wendy Gouine

I really appreciate your efforts at sustainable sachets! Keep up the good work. PS Paris is our favorite black tea EVER! cheers.

I really appreciate your efforts at sustainable sachets! Keep up the good work. PS Paris is our favorite black tea EVER! cheers.

jina

glad to hear you folks are working on this problem with the Tee sashays. That is the only complaint I have about your product. I love all of the tea flavors that I have purchased in the past.

glad to hear you folks are working on this problem with the Tee sashays. That is the only complaint I have about your product. I love all of the tea flavors that I have purchased in the past.

Lisa

Wow, I never knew that sachets were made of nylon. I was always impressed with them, thinking they were snazzy, not killing me with petroleum. Thank you for taking care of us.

Wow, I never knew that sachets were made of nylon. I was always impressed with them, thinking they were snazzy, not killing me with petroleum. Thank you for taking care of us.

Joanne (Jaye) Knox

This is amazing stuff for me to read about one of the companies I consider my ‘special treats’ places. (side note: love your teas!) Well done, Harney and Sons. Well done, indeed.

This is amazing stuff for me to read about one of the companies I consider my ‘special treats’ places. (side note: love your teas!) Well done, Harney and Sons. Well done, indeed.

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