Brewing Up the Tea Industry’s Green Awakening

Following on from Fair Trade Day that happened earlier this month, International Tea day is all about how we can critically look at the impact and production of tea around the world. 

While I know the UK loves its beloved brew, did you know the tea market is a billion dollar industry and the second most consumed beverage after water? 

As environmental concerns intensify, the tea industry is undergoing a much needed transformation, looking for ways to embrace sustainability, with many companies leading the charge toward a greener future.

The Hidden Costs of Tea

Similar to the food industry, traditional tea production has significant environmental and social impacts. From pesticide use to plastic-laden teabags, the industry faces challenges when it comes to adopting sustainable practices. However with climate change exacerbating issues, the effect on buyers will increase prices and lack of accessibility. 

Fairtrade: A Step Toward Ethical Practices

We are all familiar with the Fairtrade logo on our chocolates and coffees, but you can also see them on a variety of other products such as tea. The Fairtrade certification ensures that tea producers receive fair wages and work under improved conditions.

It also promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging eco-friendly farming practices. The Fairtrade Foundation's efforts have led to increased support for ethical tea, even amidst economic challenges.

Similarly, many tea brands also strive to be B Corp recognised as it signifies that they are meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. This is very important and useful in industries with a history of human labour and unfair practices. 

Brands Brewing for Big Change

Several UK-based tea brands are setting benchmarks in sustainability:

• Suki Tea: Operating from a wind-powered factory in Belfast, Suki Tea has eliminated plastic from its packaging and achieved B Corp certification. Their commitment to sustainability includes sourcing Fairtrade-certified teas and supporting local artists. Recently, Suki Tea appeared in a Forbes article highlighting how their company is bringing awareness to the often underreported environmental missues.   
   
• Clipper Teas: As the world's largest buyer of Fairtrade tea, Clipper Teas offers biodegradable teabags and organic blends. Their dedication to ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility has earned them B Corp status and they have become innovators in the tea space from switching to plastic-free and non-GMO tea bags to supporting ethical practices. 
   
• Hope & Glory Tea: This brand focuses on sustainable packaging and carbon footprint reduction. They work with tea gardens that are members of the Ethical Tea Partnership, ensuring ethical and environmental standards are met.
   
• London Tea Company: Owned by Cafédirect, this company reinvests 50% of its profits into supporting tea-growing communities. Their products are Fairtrade-certified and come in plastic-free, recyclable packaging.
   
• Eisa Tea Co.: A woman-owned business, Eisa Tea Co. sources pesticide- and plastic-free teas from family-owned farms in Asia. They emphasize short supply chains and support for women in the tea industry.

Consumer Power

Consumers play a pivotal role in driving the tea industry's shift toward sustainability. Choosing brands that not only prioritise ethical sourcing and eco-friendly practices, but shoppers have the power to support positive change. As the demand for products that are not only trying to make money, but make a sustainable and positive impact grows, the tea industry is poised to continue its journey toward being leaders in how this works.

For more information on sustainable tea practices and brands, visit the Fairtrade Foundation and B Corp websites.

Charity Check-in

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article. 

The Fairtrade Foundation. This is an international movement and charitable organisation partners with disadvantaged workers and producers to ensure that they are compensated fairly for their labour. Find out more.

Grow Ahead. This is a crowdfunding platform that brings together contributions from to fund community-led projects that help small-scale farmers address the local challenges of climate change. Learn more here. 

Lutheran World Relief. This is a non-profit organisation that helps families in the world’s poorest communities build the resilience they need to thrive. They offer coffee and cocoa initiatives focused on helping farming families improve their livelihood. Support them here.

This article aligns with the SDG responsible consumption and production.