Soilon Tea Bags: What They’re Made Of and Why We Use Them

At The Breastfeeding Tea Co., we’re passionate about creating products that are safe for mums and babies and kinder to the planet. One question we occasionally receive is about our Soilon tea bags — what they’re made of, whether they contain plastic, and how they behave when exposed to heat.

Here’s a clear and honest breakdown of everything you need to know 👇

What Is Soilon?

Soilon is a plant-based, biodegradable mesh made from PLA (polylactic acid) — a material derived from cornstarch. It looks and feels a lot like nylon or plastic, but it’s 100% plant-based and contains no petroleum-based plastic.

It’s widely used in the premium tea industry as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic tea bags and is certified biodegradable in industrial composting conditions.

Why We Use Soilon

We chose Soilon because it allows us to offer:

• Plastic-free tea bags — no petroleum plastics or polypropylene sealants.

• A premium loose-leaf tea experience — the mesh allows for full infusion without microplastics.

• An eco-friendlier option — Soilon breaks down in commercial composting, unlike regular plastic tea bags, which can linger in the environment for decades.

What Happens When Soilon Meets Boiling Water?

When Soilon tea bags are steeped in boiling water (around 95–100 °C), they may shrink or curl slightly. This is completely normal.

• Soilon begins to soften at around 55–65 °C — this is called its glass transition temperature.

• It doesn’t actually melt until around 160–170 °C, which is far higher than typical tea-brewing temperatures.

• This is why “melt tests” with a lighter can be misleading — direct flame easily exceeds PLA’s melting point, so it will melt, but this doesn’t reflect what happens during normal tea preparation.

Does Soilon Leach Chemicals Into My Tea?

This is an important question — especially for breastfeeding mums.

When exposed to very hot water, Soilon can release tiny amounts of lactic acid and lactide — naturally occurring compounds derived from cornstarch. These are not petroleum-based chemicals or microplastics.

• Regulatory bodies consider PLA food-safe, and it’s widely used in food packaging and hot beverage applications.

• Migration levels at typical tea-steeping temperatures are very low and well within food safety limits.

• The key factors that increase migration are prolonged exposure to heat (e.g., hours, not minutes) or repeated heating — neither of which occur during a standard cup of tea.

Is Soilon Safe for Breastfeeding Mothers?

Based on current scientific evidence and global food safety standards, Soilon is considered safe for use with hot beverages, including tea.

However, we completely understand that some mothers may prefer to minimise exposure to any materials in hot water. If you’d prefer, you can just opt for a loose leaf option of our breastfeeding teas.

Disposal: How to Compost Soilon

Soilon requires industrial composting conditions to fully break down. While it won’t biodegrade quickly in a home compost, it is still a much better environmental option than traditional plastic.

• Do: Place used bags in your green waste bin if your local council accepts compostable packaging.

• Don’t: Put them in recycling — they are not recyclable through standard soft plastic programs.

Our Commitment to Transparency

We know that when you’re breastfeeding or caring for your baby, every decision matters. That’s why we’re upfront about the materials we use and the science behind them.