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Tea Packaging

Tea Packaging

The Tea Container

Currently, we use Kraft bags with an aluminum laminate inside (small sized), and the compostable pouch from Elevate Packaging (medium sizes). When the small bags are all used and done, they will become the same as Elevate Packagings.
There are many suppliers for what appears to be the exact same bag.
Is there a difference? (needs to be researched)

Based on Elevate Packaging's catalogue, they are compostable. Are they also Recyclable (ideal)?
Based on the Kraft Packaging Store's catalogue, they are aluminum foil (laminate?) within kraft paper.

Current known vendor options:

Possible future options:

  • Some places are developing seaweed-based plastic replacement products. They are supposed to be "Restorative" rather than just "recyclable", "compostable", or "carbon-neutral".

Labels for Tea Containers

Shipping Supplies

Shipping tape

We currently order compostable shipping tape from the following places:

Reasoning for the above vendors:

Shipping Labels

Elevate packaging and pure labels' products are the same on this one.
Each are entirely compostable.
If something else is being ordered from one of these vendors, try to get these labels into the same order to save on shipping costs.

Shipping Boxes

Cardboard boxes are compostable, making most of the work pretty simple. The concern is mostly the ink (toxticity?), and if the cardboard has a covering. 
If price allows (mostly killed by shipping costs), order from Arka.com. They help make sure the Ink is okay and can give a good description of what the price will be for a variety of boxes in bulk, and are the most likely to ship in an ecologically friendly way.

Current options:

  • Arka: Blanks are cheapest, but shipping inflates price significantly. Can provide best appearance with custom print boxes
  • UPS: Significantly able to reduce price, due to bulk. Cheaper to pick these up than ship from Arka
  • USPS?
  • Home Depot?
  • Office Depot?

Stamp Ink 

Algae-based ink from EcoEnclosed.
https://www.ecoenclose.com/algae-stamp-ink/

Reason: non-toxticity for composting. 
For more information: https://www.ecoenclose.com/blog/how-algae-ink-is-changing-the-industry/

Remaining Areas of Concern to Figure Out

Printer ink for printing tea bag labels.
They are currently using general printer's ink. We don't know anything about it, besides that it is used in old HP printers.
Should someone find a solution, please email quests@tea-tavern.com.

There currently exist considerations for prioritizing recyclability over compostability, due to requirements of certain compostable products. The desire is home compostability, but some products require composting facilities to compost within 8 (or more?) months.

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