British Retail Giant ASDA Has Replaced All Its Own-brand Tea Bags with Polylactic Acid (PLA)

ASDA has made a major change to its own-brand teabags by introducing plant-based packaging, meaning the 550 million teabags it sells each year can be thrown into curbside food bins.

The new teabag is made of PLA derived from cornstarch, a bio-based material that will replace the previously used non-renewable petroleum-based plastic bags.

Asda will gradually roll out its entire range of new tea bags over the next six months, from Just Essentials to Extra Special.

Asda's packaging technologist said: "We know our customers want to do everything they can to reduce their environmental impact and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to do so.

"Tea is a staple in most of our clients' households, so for us to make a change that can make such a big difference is a big moment for us."

Asda has committed to removing 3 billion pieces of plastic from its own-brand products by 2025.