Microplastics in drinks are more common than we think. They can sneak in through everyday items like plastic tea bags, kettles, bottled water, takeaway cups, and even tap water.

The good news though is that simple swaps like loose-leaf tea, stainless steel kettles, reusable cups, and water filters can significantly reduce your exposure.

Key Takeaways

• Microplastics often come from heat + plastic contact
• Everyday items like tea bags and coffee cups are hidden sources
• Bottled water can contain more microplastics than tap water
• Small swaps can make a big difference quickly

It Started With a Kettle…

About two years ago, I had one of those small (but very uncomfortable) realisations.

I had already cut out so much plastic. No more bottles, no cling wrap, bars instead of liquids… I thought I was doing pretty well. Then one morning, while making tea, I realised I was boiling water… in a plastic kettle. Something I used every single day without ever questioning it.

That moment sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole. Because once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Plastic isn’t just in packaging. It’s in the quiet, everyday things we don’t think twice about.

And the more I looked into it, the more it made sense why.

A study by WWF and the University of Newcastle found we may be consuming around 2,000 tiny pieces of plastic every week. Not from one big source… but from lots of small ones.

Here are a few that really surprised me.

1. Are Your Tea Bags Actually Plastic?

As someone who drinks tea every day, a study from McGill University blew my mind. They found that a single plastic tea bag can release 11.6 billion microplastic particles and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into just one cup of tea. I wrote more about hidden plastics in tea here.

When you think about it, it makes sense. We're steeping plastic in boiling water and then drinking it. Yikes!

What most people don’t realise is that many "paper" tea bags aren’t actually just paper. They’re often sealed or most tea bags are reinforced with polypropylene (a type of plastic) so they don’t fall apart.

So yes… we’re basically steeping plastic and drinking it.

An easy swap? Go for loose-leaf tea and use a stainless steel strainer or a reusable tea bag. It feels a bit more old-school… but you’ll get all the flavour with none of the plastic nasties. Bonus points for composting your used tea leaves, your garden will love you for it.

2. Is Your Kettle Adding Microplastics to Your Water?

Kettles were once made from materials like stainless steel, clay or copper. Today, most kettles are made from plastic, which sheds microplastics & releases endocrine-disrupting chemicals into our drinks. A study found that BPA leaches up to 55 times faster in boiling water compared to room temperature. Right?!

Heat and plastic are not a great combo.

What to look for instead:

• Stainless steel kettles (this is the one I have here)
• Glass kettles
• Minimal or no internal plastic parts

They’re not always the easiest to find, but they’re worth it.

3. Avoid Bottled and Plastic-Packaged Drinks

I’m sure you know this one, but let’s see this as a reminder.

A 2018 investigation by Orb Media found that 93% of bottled water samples contained microplastics, sometimes at levels 100 times higher than tap water.

Plastic bottles, especially when exposed to sunlight or heat during transport, can break down and leach microplastics into the drink inside.

An easy swap: Use a reusable bottle made from stainless steel or glass. It's better for your body and the planet

Note: BPA-free claims don’t mean a product is safe. Alternatives used to replace BPA, like BPS and BPF, have been found to cause similar or worse hormone-disrupting effects. Learn more here.

4. That “Paper” Coffee Cup Isn’t Really Paper 

Takeaway coffee cups look like paper… but they’re lined with plastic to make them waterproof.

One study found that within just 15 minutes, hot coffee in these cups can release around 25,000 microplastic particles. And then we often drink it through a plastic lid too.

An easy swap: Bring your reusable cup made from glass or stainless steel. Or if you forget (we all do), skip the lid when you can. It’s not perfect, but it helps.

5. Your Tap Water Isn’t Completely Free From Microplastics

This one is a bit confronting. Microplastics have been found in over 80% of global tap water samples. So while switching away from bottled water is important… it’s not the full picture.

An easy swap: A good quality water filter. Filters like Tappwater are designed to reduce microplastics, chlorine, heavy metals, and other nasties. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your home, and your health.

One of those small changes that quietly makes a big difference over time. 

Sip Smarter

If you want to make these swaps easy, I’ve linked my favourite plastic-free options here.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about noticing the things you didn’t realise before… and making small shifts from there.

Swap your tea strainers. Rethink your kettle. Bring your cup. That’s already a huge step.

Lots of love, Ellie x

Resources

• https://www.wwf.mg/en/?348371/Could-you-be-eating-a-credit-card-a-week
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31552738/
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130092108.htm
• https://orbmedia.org/plus-plastic-text
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420321087?via%3Dihub
  
• https://orbmedia.org/invisibles-final-report

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some surprising sources of microplastics in everyday life?

Some surprising sources of microplastics include plastic teabags, plastic kettles, bottled drinks, takeaway coffee cups, and even tap water.

How many microplastic particles can one plastic teabag release?

One plastic teabag can release up to 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into a single cup of tea, according to a study by McGill University.

Is bottled water safer than tap water when it comes to microplastics?

No. A 2018 investigation found 93% of bottled water samples contained microplastics - sometimes at levels 100 times higher than tap water. Filtered tap water is generally a safer option.

Do takeaway coffee cups contain plastic?

Yes. Most disposable coffee cups are lined with polyethylene plastic, which helps them hold liquid but can release up to 25,000 microplastic particles within 15 minutes of contact with hot liquids.

How can I reduce microplastics in my daily drinks?

To reduce microplastics, switch to:

• Loose-leaf tea with a stainless steel infuser
• A glass or stainless steel kettle
• Filtered tap water
• A reusable bottle and coffee cup
• Skipping plastic lids when possible
  

Can microplastics be filtered out of tap water?

Yes. High-quality water filters, like Tappwater, can reduce microplastics along with chlorine, heavy metals, and other contaminants in household tap water.