June 2023 Sachet Material Status Update

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. 

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.