This means customers can enjoy their favourite cuppa knowing they'll be able to dispose of the tea bags in food or green waste bins.
The transition to fully compostable tea bags is expected to divert up to 800 million per year from traditional waste bins, and subsequently, landfill.
The material - a special plant-based plastic, polylactic acid (PLA) - not only ensures the composability of the tea bags but also maintains the exceptional quality and flavour that Lidl customers expect.
From its Deluxe Fairtrade Assam Tea (£1.09) to its Knightsbridge Gold Blend Tea (£1.19) or Knightsbridge Red Label Tea (£2.39) – the change will be made across all of Lidl GB’s own-brand tea range.
In line with its wider commitment to improving the recyclability of all its products, the move follows a recent announcement from Lidl to transition its milk range to clear tops. These combined efforts mean Lidl shoppers can savour every cup of tea knowing they’re helping cut the amount of single-use plastic that are destined for landfill.
Said Shyam Unarket, who is Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl GB “Those buying tea bags from Lidl are supporting our efforts to reduce single-use plastic going to landfill. We understand even a few relatively minor changes to our products can benefit our customers, whilst also helping us improve our impact on the planet, one cup at a time.”
Lidl’s new compostable tea bags will turn in store over the coming months, while existing stock gradually sells through. Today’s announcement comes as part of Lidl’s ongoing efforts to reduce its own-label plastic packaging by 40% by the end of 2025.
Other recent initiatives include becoming the first UK supermarket to incorporate Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into its water bottles and announcing plans to introduce new vacuum-packed, recyclable packaging across its beef mince range, resulting in a plastic reduction of almost two thirds (63%).