How to fold an origami tea bag from a coffee filter and cotton string. Avoid the microplastics!

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It’s no secret that microplastic particles have been found in our food and bodies. For the last few years there have been articles, videos, and scientific studies documenting this. What’s perhaps uncertain is how bad these microplastics are for our health.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not willing to be a part of that experiment, so I’m doing everything I can to avoid microplastics.

One well documented source of microplastics is plastic to-go cups as well as nylon tea bags. Unfortunately, many companies don’t tell you what material they use for their tea bags, and they also make it difficult to find out. The packaging doesn’t help, and I’ve even called companies to ask and the support people didn’t know. I’ve even seen some companies describe the bags as “plant-based” and “composable” which is deceptive since biodegradable plastic is still a type of plastic - this is not a good opinion. I want to know exactly what the tea bag fabric is, and use a material with a safe track record. Knowing the type of tea bag fabric is really important for someone like me to who wants to avoid microplastics and chemicals from tea bags.

So a while back, I decided to switch to loose-leaf tea. However, I have to admit that it’s much less convenient to brew tea with a metal tea infuser. When I’m at the office or on the go, I only have access to hot water and a cup. I decided to make my own ready-made tea bags and fill them myself.

The design I purpose uses a standard size, cellulose coffee filter. Almost every grocery store and convenience store has these. I’ve attempted to make a design that uses all origami to construct the tea bag, but unfortunate, I wasn’t able to come up with a good design. However, I was successful using a combination of origami and all natural thread to sew one part of the bag. The sewing is really simple - you just need a needle and some cotton thread (like butchers twine).

Steps to make disposable tea bags from coffee filters

First lay the coffee filter flat.

Then cut it in half.

Then take the half and fold it in half.

Then fold the bottom point up so it’s in the center of the filter. Then start to fold the open end toward the closed end. Fold it several times so you can ensure that side doesn’t open when the tea bag gets wet.

Here is a view from the top.

Now, you’ll want to thread a needle with some all-natural thread (not nylon!). Cotton or hemp will do. Butchers thread is made of cotton. First, I cut a length of butcher twine, then I unravelled it into individual threads.

Then you’ll want to pierce your tea bag at the top and ensure the fold on the left is secured tightly.

Continue to pierce in the same spot until the thread can be pulled tight.

Then you’ll want to cut the thread and leave enough of a tail so you can tie off the tea bag after you fill it with your loose leaf tea.

This is generally what your tea bag will look like after you fill it with tea and tie it off.

And that’s basically it. I can sit down and make a big batch of these tea bags and have them ready to go if I’m at work or am too busy to use a tea infuser. When I’m not busy and have the time, I use this Yoassi Tea Infuser.

If you come up with a better design that is secured with only origami, I’d love to hear from you! Please reach out at hello@sixmission.com.