Twinings Moves to Metallised Compostable Tea Bag Packs

Switching to metallised compostable NatureFlex™ film has enabled Twinings to use more sustainable packaging materials for their Everyday tea bags and help consumers cut waste.

Founded in 1706, Twinings is a leader in the tea business and is enjoyed today in more than 100 countries worldwide.

David Parkes of Twinings says, “As a company we are always looking at ways to lessen our impact on the environment. By using NatureFlex™ NM film as the inner wrap in this pack, it not only protects the teabags, but also makes it easier for our customers to reduce their waste through home composting.

Made by Innovia Films, NatureFlex™ films are made from cellulose derived from renewable wood pulp and are available in New Zealand from Convex Plastics.

Along with breaking down in a home compost bin within a matter of weeks, NatureFlex™ films offer several advantages for packing and converting, including inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases and aromas and a wide heat-seal range. The films are also certified to meet both the European EN13432 and American ASTM D6400 standards for compostable packaging.

Innovia Films global marketing manager for sustainable technologies, Andy Sweetman says, “There is a perception in the marketplace that biomaterials simply cannot deliver the barrier properties required for dried goods, but technology is constantly moving on. Twinings use of NatureFlex™ NM shows that an increasing number of dried goods applications can be successfully delivered by NatureFlex™ films, without compromising on compostability and renewability characteristics.”

The NatureFlex™ NM film used by Twinings is the only metallised biodegradable film suitable for home composting because the level of metal is minuscule (by overall composition less than 0.02% of the bag). In the decomposition process, the thin coating of aluminum oxidises and turns into aluminum oxide, which is inert and non-toxic. The small amount of metal slows the film’s degradation by a few days, but does not interfere with its biodegradability in any other way.