Zero waste tea making tools (for loose leaves)

If you’re drinking a nice pot of plastic-free tea, then it pays to use plastic-free tea making tools! Loose tea is best, so there are good inventions to help if you are only making a pot for or two.

Use with energy-saving kettles.

This in-cup tea strainer is made from stainless steel, like an upgraded  version of the hand-held one your mother likely had. Fitting inside most mugs, just add loose tea, put over a mug and leave to infuse. For fine tea (like spearmint or peppermint) wet the strainer before you add the tea.

Avoid caffeine for pregnancy/nursing (also some herb teas like hibiscus and liquorice). Just bin leaves (caffeine could harm compost creatures). Use a SinkShield to stop clogging drains.

Tea Lab paper filters

Tea Lab Paper Filters are filled with loose tea. Then just pour over the water, and use the drawstring to brew and then dispose of the tea bag, to safely return to the earth. Each box contains 50 bags.

This brand also sells organic tea in glass jars, with profits helping to rescue orphaned elephants and rhinos. The letterbox mailer teas are sent in glass test tubes with cork lids, including eco-fillable tea bags.

A teapot for one or two (no strainer needed)

This Teapot for One gives plenty of room for the leaves to move around and give great flavour, without the heaviness of a giant teapot. No mess and no faff, plus there is no need for a strainer.

Also in a larger teapot for two.