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CELINE IN WYOMING ASKS:
As a mom, I run on caffeine. I’ve been trying to avoid plastic where I can. Is there danger posed by plastic in my coffee maker? I also read there is plastic in tea bags! Are they safe? How can I avoid microplastics in my coffee and tea?
Tell Congress: Protect Families From the Plastics and Petrochemical Industry
MOM DETECTIVE ANSWERS:
You are speaking my language, Celine. I don’t get out of bed without my morning fuel-up. You’re right to note that most coffee makers are made entirely of or contain plastic, and yes, there have been studies on tea bags made with plastic releasing microplastics into steeped tea.
Are they dangerous?
Given what scientific data there is about plastic chemicals and health, including growing research and concerns about microplastics and human exposure, I think it’s good common sense to consider making the hot beverages you drink daily, sometimes several times a day, as plastic-free—and as otherwise safe—as you can. Here’s how.
Plastic coffee makers
We know plastic degrades when exposed to high temperatures, which is why some kinds of plastics have “thermal stabilizers” added to them during manufacture. Connecting the dots here: When you brew coffee with steaming hot water in plastic, through plastic cups or pods, or even through filters made of plastic, research has shown that it can cause the chemicals in the plastic to break down, and microplastics wind up in your cup.
The good news here is there are tons of widely available ways to brew coffee without any plastic at all—and at all price points. Pick your own preferred method: stainless steel drip coffee maker with a glass pot, stainless steel moka pots that go on the stovetop, glass French press contraptions, stainless steel espresso makers with no plastic components, pour over using a plastic-free tea pot and glass carafe, cold brew in a large glass jar, and so on. Don’t forget a plastic-free grinder if you’re a beans person. If you don’t want to get an entirely new coffee-making system, you can minimize some exposure by seeking out truly plastic-free filters, swapping a plastic carafe for a glass one, and especially, replacing single-use plastic coffee pods with refillable and reusable metal ones.
A word about coffee filters
I was surprised when I realized coffee filters aren’t always 100% paper. But it’s true. Some are plastic (typically, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, or rayon). Some also contain glue. Pouring hot water through drip bags releases thousands of microplastics into coffee. Brewing time and temperature impact how much gets released, and in one study, rayon was the worst offender.
There are two ways around this conundrum. First up is a reusable coffee filter. Some are safe metal (check what kind when shopping) and some are cotton—I have even seen organic cotton and muslin versions. The other way around plastic filters is to look for 100% paper coffee filters. In this realm, I also would look for unbleached paper options; these are better for you and can be composted too. Plant-based single-use coffee filters can actually contain some plastic, so I prefer reusable or paper. Or even easier, find a brewing option that tastes good to you and doesn’t require filtering.
Plastic in your tea
Tea bags are mini filters, essentially. And they’re also frequently made from plastics, including nylon, polypropylene, and cellulose. One study demonstrated that most of these polymers release large amounts of microplastics into tea. I’ve been sent a number of petitions to sign over the years asking tea manufacturers to use better, plastic-free bags or to voluntarily disclose what material they use. It’s hard to know for sure; this isn’t the sort of thing that goes on a tea box label. Paper tea bags can still contain thermoplastic fibers used to seal the bag’s seams, according to Beyond Plastic, plus added chemicals to prevent the bags from breaking.
But again, there’s a simple, inexpensive, and widely available solution to avoid plastic in your tea: Tea drinkers can brew loose leaf teas in a glass, metal (I prefer stainless steel), or ceramic strainer. And make sure you’re boiling water in stainless steel, not a pot with plastic!
Microplastics to go
If you’re having coffee or tea outside your house and can bring your own reusable plastic-free cup or thermos, please do! Or take a few minutes to drink your hot beverage out of a ceramic cup at a cafe versus taking it with you. Disposable to-go cups are yet another known source of microplastics. Recent research has demonstrated that a single hot beverage might contain thousands of microscopic plastic particles. Just how many particles varies based on the type of cup and how hot your beverage is. This is dismaying and is because many to-go cups are lined or coated with plastic. And don’t even get me started on the plastic lids.
Types of tea and coffee
As long as you’re paying attention to the plastic that comes into contact with your coffee and tea, it also makes sense to consider the beans and tea you’re buying. Maybe you’ve already considered all there is to consider when it comes to healthier, more environmentally friendly caffeine: organic or sustainably-grown without pesticides, shade-grown, bird-friendly, fair trade, small farm, etc., etc. When I first researched coffee and tea over a decade ago for a book I was writing, I was shocked to learn about the chemicals used to make most coffee decaffeinated, and how much water it takes too. I also was surprised that the flavor in teas is frequently synthetic, not natural. So definitely research the healthiest versions of your preferred tea and coffee before sipping.
Cleaning the equipment
Some newer machines will beep and blink and, essentially, yell at you when it’s time to clean or “descale” them. Commercial descalers are mostly citric acid but can also contain harsh chemical additives. As long as I’m being careful about avoiding plastic and brewing healthier coffee, I don’t want to run it through a machine with additive residue. Read the label before using, or here’s a simple fix: run some white vinegar through the machine and flush it out with hot water. Vinegar is safe to ingest, and it makes the “clean me!” lights go off.
Celine, I’m always happy to share workarounds and help people reduce daily exposure to plastic, but ultimately, this approach is backward. What we all need is strong chemical policy to protect humans and the environment so we can just make coffee and tea without having to worry about plastic chemicals. If you agree, join Moms in demanding that our elected officials do something about the petrochemicals in plastics and microplastics.
Tell Congress: Protect Families From the Plastics and Petrochemical Industry