Paper, plastic
Confidence: high · Place: Germany · Last checked: September 2026
Why
- Tea bags are usually made of paper and a small amount of plastic that cannot be separated.
- Because they are not made of a single material, they cannot go in the Gelbe Tonne (yellow bin) or paper recycling.
- That’s why they belong in the residual waste bin.
Tea bags explicitly marked as compostable can go in the bio bin in many areas.
varies by areaWhat you can make from it
Compost tea sachets
- Collect used compostable tea bags.
- Dry them completely.
- Mix them into the compost or lay them as mulch in the bed.
Scent sachets for cupboards
- Dry used tea bags.
- Add a few drops of essential oil.
- Place the sachets in drawers or wardrobes.