the carbon footprint of tea: how brands can reduce their impact

A young tea plant growing in a misty green field with light footprints above it. A symbol of minimal environmental impact and sustainable cultivation.

a cup of tea can bring calm. but behind its serenity lies a story that’s often untold; its carbon footprint.

at sy’a, we believe that every sip should support the planet. and its inhabitants i.e. us.

so we asked ourselves a question: how do we ensure our tea doesn’t just nourish but also protect?

the carbon footprint problem in the tea industry

it starts with the leaf. but it doesn't end there.

tea production emits between 20 to 40g of co₂ per cup, depending on how it's grown, processed, packaged, and shipped¹. multiply that by millions of cups consumed daily, and the footprint grows quickly.

fossil fuel powered factories. monoculture farming. plastic-based packaging. air freight. all contribute to the growing climate impact of tea.

but it is not all gloom and doom. a single small act, like choosing one kind of packaging or shipping route over another, can significantly shift the carbon load.

why reduction matters

climate change doesn’t wait.

the soil is drying. yields are falling. biodiversity is thinning out from tea farms once buzzing with life².

for tea growers, this means risk.

for ecosystems, imbalance.

for future generations, fewer flavours and fewer choices.

but for mindful brands and consumers, this is also an opportunity to protect what we love by rethinking how we grow, pack, and pour.

how brands can lower their impact

what does a lower-impact tea brand look like?

• it supports regenerative agriculture i.e. farming that improves soil rather than depleting it
• it works with small-batch producers and biodiverse estates
• it chooses plastic-free, compostable packaging
• it ships in bulk, not individually wrapped sachets
• it educates its community and shares transparent practices

what science says about sustainability in tea

research shows that switching to renewable energy sources in processing units can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 60%³.

and farms that adopt organic, low-input practices emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases than conventional ones⁴.

even packaging choices matter. e.g. tea bags made with plastic can leave microplastics in both your brew and the planet⁵.

the takeaway? sustainable tea is not just a niche. it’s the only way forward.

the future of low-carbon tea

tea companies around the world are now exploring:

• carbon-neutral certification
• climate-resilient tea cultivars
• on-pack climate impact labeling
• circular packaging systems with refill options

it’s slow. but it’s coming. and conscious consumers are making it move faster.

how sy’a teas is making a difference

we’ve always believed that indulgence should be mindful. and that rituals should restore, not harm.

at sy’a, we’ve taken steps like:

• using compostable kraft pouches and reusable tins
• offering bulk packaging to reduce packaging and shipping impact
• sourcing from gardens that follow ethical and sustainable practices
• educating our community on sustainable tea production

each of our eco-conscious blends is a choice for both wellness and the world.