The Best Zero Waste Loose Leaf Tea Brands for 2025

A roundup of the top 10 best zero waste loose leaf tea brands making an effort to reduce waste and use eco-friendly practices.

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Best Zero Waste Tea Brands 2023

1. Most Ethical: Numi Tea
2. Largest Variety: The Tao Of Tea
3. Most Innovative Blends: Tiesta Tea
4. Most Artisanal: Turtle Moon
5. Most Traditional: Harney & Sons
6. Best Selection of Organic Teas: Davidson Organics
7. Most Sustainable: Gardenika
8. Most Unique: Avocado Leaf Tea
9. Most Luxurious: Tea Forte
10. Most Environmentally Friendly: Grace Farms

Why Choose Loose Leaf Tea Over Traditional Tea Bags?

It’s More Sustainable

Traditional tea bags contribute billions of non-biodegradable, single-use packets to landfills each year. However, loose leaf tea offers a plastic-free, compostable alternative that is better for the planet.

Many standard tea bags contain plastic fibers or are wrapped in extra unnecessary, packaging. Even paper tea bags include polypropylene to seal the edges. Unfortunately, most municipal composting facilities cannot break down these materials.

On the other hand, loose leaf tea empowers you to reduce waste in a meaningful way. Brewing loose leaf tea simply requires tea leaves and a filter. It cuts down on excess packaging while retaining its full flavor.

As an added bonus tea strainers and infusers provide plastic-free brewing. And the leaves themselves can be composted after use. 

Loose Leaf Tea Is Better For Your Health

Loose leaf tea is the clear winner when it comes to health benefits compared to regular tea bags.

Loose leaf tea avoids many of the potentially harmful chemicals found in bagged varieties. Tea bags frequently contain chemical additives like epichlorohydrin, dioxins, and glue. 

The bags themselves also use polypropylene plastic to seal in the tea, which can degrade over time and leak microplastics into your cup. Loose leaf tea relies on just the natural tea leaves themselves, avoiding this plastic and any chemical manipulation.

Whole tea leaves also retain higher levels of antioxidants like polyphenols and catechins. These powerful compounds can help reduce inflammation in the body and support heart health. The full leaves also provide a richer, purer flavor profile.

It’s Higher Quality & Tastes Better

Tea connoisseurs know the best cup of tea comes from high-quality, loose leaf varieties.

Tea bags contain small, broken bits of leaves, often called "tea dust." Manufacturers break leaves into tiny pieces so they fit into tiny bags. Unfortunately, this damages the leaves and strips away their healthful antioxidants and mutes the taste.

Unlike tea bags filled with crushed leaves, loose leaf tea contains whole leaves that fully expand during steeping, releasing their delicious flavors and oils into your cup. Proper steeping allows the leaves to unlock their full flavor for a fresher, purer taste. 

Many tea companies sell loose leaf tea in small batches. This ensures the teas are as fresh as possible. When you buy high-quality, whole leaf teas, you'll immediately notice the difference in taste, complexity, and aroma.

The next time you brew loose leaf tea, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the whole leaves. Inhale the fragrant aroma before your first sip. Let the complex flavors dance across your palate. 

It’s The More Economical Choice

For tea drinkers looking to save money, loose leaf tea is the most economical choice. Although the upfront cost may seem higher, you get significantly more cups of tea from loose leaves. This makes it cheaper in the long run than purchasing boxes of tea bags.

The best way to save is to buy loose leaf tea from bulk stores. Many natural food stores sell leaves by weight in their bulk section. This allows you to purchase exactly as much as you need. It helps reduce waste from boxes and individual packaging too.

To brew loose leaf tea, you just need leaves and a way to strain them. Reusable tea infusers provide an affordable, sustainable option. Simply fill with leaves and steep right in your cup. Fine mesh stainless steel infusers are a good option. They last a long time and make cleanup easy.

The great thing about infusers is you can reuse the same tea leaves a few times before composting. Just store them in your infuser or an airtight container between uses. With tea bags, you toss them after a single use.

Finally, don't forget your cup! A good reusable mug or teacup will serve you well with loose leaf tea. Make your budget brewing supplies complete with an insulated thermos or basic teacup.

How to Choose a Sustainable Loose Leaf Tea Brand

Look for Brands That Use Organic and Fair Trade Ingredients

When choosing a loose leaf tea brand, prioritize companies that ethically source their tea leaves. To ensure sustainability from crop to cup, look for several key features.

Start by selecting certified organic loose leaf teas. This means no toxic pesticides or chemicals were used in growing. Organic certification verifies production methods meet earth-friendly standards.

Next, search for fair trade certification. This guarantees fair wages and safe working conditions for tea farmers and workers. It's an important way to support small farms and promote social responsibility.

Also, look into the brand's overall supply chain and facility practices. Many leading tea companies have adopted renewable energy, carbon neutral shipping, and eco-friendly operations. Transparent sourcing and B-Corp certification indicate a dedication to people and the planet.

Finally, check out reviews and company values. How does the brand give back to tea-farming communities? Do they prioritize ethics and sustainability across their business? The right fair trade tea company will share your passion for delicious, eco-conscious tea.

Drinking loose leaf tea can be a tasty way to vote with your wallet. Seek out organic and fair trade varieties from tea companies devoted to friendlier farming.

The Role of Organic and Natural Ingredients in Sustainability

When it comes to being eco-friendly, choosing organic is an impactful place to start. Organic farming techniques greatly reduce the environmental footprint of crop production. At the same time, organic ingredients create a healthier product for consumers.

In order to be USDA certified organic, crops must be grown without toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or GMOs. Farmers use natural solutions for pest control and soil health. This eliminates dangerous chemical runoff that pollutes local ecosystems. Organic methods also mitigate topsoil erosion and support biodiversity.

For tea lovers, organic certification guarantees your leaves are grown sustainably from start to finish. No harmful residues end up in your cup. And reducing pesticides protects the health of farmers and tea workers too.

Beyond farming, organic ingredients reflect a commitment to ethical production. Brands that value organic ingredients typically invest in sustainability across their business practices. From eco-packaging to green energy, using organic tea leaves is a sign of a thoughtful, eco-conscious company.

By choosing organic loose leaf tea, you can support growers worldwide making a difference. Our dollars help perpetuate farming practices that restores the environment rather than destroying it. 

Choose Brands That Use Compostable Or Recyclable Packaging

When shopping for loose leaf tea, consider the sustainability of the packaging, too. To reduce waste, look for compostable, recyclable, or reusable materials. With more brands embracing eco-conscious packaging, there are ample options to suit a zero waste lifestyle.

Many companies now offer loose tea in compostable filter bags. These are designed to break down completely in a compost bin, unlike regular plastic tea bags. Brands like Numi and Avocado Leaf use natural materials like plant cellulose, organic cotton, and corn starch to create biodegradable bags.

For loose teas sold in bulk, some brands use compostable tins or paper bags. These allow you to purchase the desired amount of tea leaves, without excess packaging. Just open, use, and toss in your compost.

If opting for tins or containers, search for recyclable materials like glass, steel, or silicone. While not compostable, these can be repurposed or recycled responsibly. Some tea sellers even offer returns on their tins!

Beyond packaging, steer clear of brands using wasteful individual pods, wrappers, or disposable tea filters. Well-designed loose tea packaging eliminates single-use plastics and excess waste. It empowers you to align your tea drinking with zero waste goals.

Reviews of the Top 5 Zero Waste Loose Leaf Tea Brands for 2023

1) Numi Tea

Numi is a Certified B Corporation that is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. They use compostable packaging, source their tea from sustainable and ethical farms, and offer a variety of organic and fair trade teas.

Numi has a lot of tea options to choose from, including black teas, green teas, herbal teas, and white teas. We love their Organic Turmeric Ginger Tea, which is a blend of turmeric, ginger, and lemongrass that has a warm, spicy flavor and a golden-yellow color. Their Organic Rooibos Chai Tea is a blend that is delicious, too. A comforting blend of rooibos, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and ginger that has a rich, flavorful taste and a deep red color.

2) The Tao Of Tea

Tao of Tea has a wide variety of teas from all over the world, and they are committed to providing their customers with the highest quality tea leaves. They also have a great variety of reusable tea filters, which are a great way to reduce waste.

Their teas are known for their high quality, freshness, and unique flavor profiles. Their Tieguanyin Oolong Tea is a unique semi-oxidized oolong tea from China that has a complex flavor profile with notes of flowers, fruit, and nuts.

3) Tiesta Tea

Tiesta Tea uses eco-friendly reusable packaging, and they proudly source their tea from sustainable and ethical farms.

Tiesta Tea offers a wide variety of organic loose-leaf teas and tea blends. One of our favorites is their Strawberry Lemonade Tea, which is a caffeine free blend of pineapple, hibiscus, rosehip, lemon balm, lemon, and strawberry bit that has a sweet, fruity flavor. If you like fruity teas, their Mango Tango Tea is a blend of green tea, mango, and pineapple that has a tropical flavor that will make you feel like you're on vacation.

4) Turtle Moon

Turtle Moon is a small business that specializes in loose-leaf teas and tisanes. They offer a wide variety of rare and unusual blends. Their comforting Organic Lavender Earl Grey Tea is a blend of black tea, lavender, and bergamot that has a floral, citrusy flavor. We like to drink their Summer Blend with breakfast. It's an energizing blend of oatstraw, raspberry leaf, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemongrass, hibiscus, rosehips, and spearmint that has a tart, spicy flavor. All of their teas come in compostable packaging, and they source their tea from sustainable and ethical farms.

5) Harney & Sons

Harney & Sons is a family-owned and operated tea company that has been in business for over 30 years. It doesn’t get much more traditional than Harney & Sons.

All of their loose-leaf teas are high quality and fresh, with some beautiful flavor profiles. Their Paris Tea is a blend of black tea, rose petals, and lavender that has a delicate, floral flavor.

6) Davidson Organics

Davidson Organics specializes in only organic and fair trade teas. They offer a wide variety of teas, including black teas, green teas, herbal teas, and rooibos teas.

We love their Organic Peppermint Tea to support good digestion and good gut health. It's the perfect blend of organic peppermint leaves with a refreshing, minty flavor.

7) Gardenika

Gardenika believes in providing only the best and most natural teas to help people live their best lives, following ancient traditions of healing and medicine. They offer blends to balance the mind, body, and spirit, and all of their teas are made only from certified organic ingredients. They strongly believe in the power of quality, natural ingredients to enhance the health benefits of drinking tea.

If you are looking for a light, delicate green tea, their Organic Jasmine Green Tea is a lovely blend of organic green tea and organic jasmine flowers that has a delicate, floral flavor.

8) Avocado Leaf Tea

Avocado Leaf Tea Company is a newer company on the tea scene, offering some unique and pretty revolutionary tea blends. The company has harnessed the nutritional power of the avocado leaf to bring a variety of avocado leaf teas. Each leaf is hand-picked and sourced locally from avocado groves in sunny Temecula, California. Their teas come in single-serve biodegradable tea sachets.

Avocado leaf tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea that is known for its many health benefits. The tea itself has a slightly grassy flavor with notes of citrus and nuts. It is a refreshing and enjoyable tea to drink, both hot and cold.

9) Tea Forte

Tea Forté is a luxury tea company that has a beautifully designed product line inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony, intended to "elevate a cup of tea into an extraordinary experience for all of your senses."

They offer handcrafted luxury tea blends made from the highest-grade, small-lot, certified organic teas, including the Herbal Retreat Collection, which is naturally caffeine-free

Their Moroccan Mint tea is extra special. A blend of green tea, jasmine, and mint that has a refreshing, floral flavor.

10) Grace Farms

Grace Farms organic and fair trade black teas and herbal blends with delicious blends of chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaves, and mint. Most of their herbal tea blends are made with Fair Trade Certified Ingredients in biodegradable pyramid sachets.

Their Organic Earl Grey Tea is a blend of organic black tea and organic bergamot oil that has a classic citrusy flavor that is perfect for any occasion.

Why These Tea Brands Are Compatible With a Zero-Waste Lifestyle

All of the tea brands listed above are compatible with a zero-waste lifestyle for the following reasons:

• They offer a variety of loose-leaf teas, which can be brewed multiple times without generating any waste.
• They use compostable tea bags and packaging, which can be composted at home.
• They source their tea from sustainable and ethical farms, which helps to protect the environment and support fair trade practices.

Tips for a More Sustainable Experience at Home

Loose-leaf tea is a great zero-waste option, but we can take our sustainable tea experience even further with some simple changes.

First, proper storage is key for maximizing flavor and minimizing waste. Store loose-leaf tea in airtight containers away from light and moisture. Glass jars work beautifully to show off your tea leaves. When it's time to brew, use the right proportions of leaves to water and brew for the recommended time according to variety. This prevents burning and over-steeping and wasting precious leaves.

Be mindful when disposing of used tea leaves, too. Compost wet leaves or dry them to use as fertilizer in your garden. You can even reuse leaves for bath teas or skin scrubs. And, of course, opt for reusable infusers, strainers, and teapots whenever possible.

If you love the convenience of tea bags but want a plastic-free option, there are some great reusable cloth options you can purchase.

This blog post was all about zero waste loose-leaf tea brands for 2023.

Sipping sustainable tea is simple with loose leaf varieties from eco-conscious brands. This roundup highlighted the 10 top zero waste tea companies offering plastic-free, compostable options that align with green values.

We covered why loose leaf is the better option over regular tea bags, which generate billions of pieces of unrecyclable waste annually. Loose leaf provides more flavor, health benefits, quality, and value. 

Beyond superb taste, these leading tea sellers prioritize earth-friendly sourcing and operations. From organic farming to ethical labor practices, they model sustainability across the supply chain. With premium loose leaf tea, you can enjoy fuller flavor while choosing earth-friendly brands.

Every purchase supports greener growing and packaging innovations. Together, our dollars multiply into real change. One plastic-free cup at a time, we can transform the industry for the planet. What could be more satisfying than great taste and doing good?

Will you make the change in your daily ritual? What new varieties will you try first?

We hope this guide opened your eyes to fantastic loose leaf options for tea lovers seeking zero waste. What was your biggest takeaway? Share your thoughts on social media to keep the conversation brewing!