Ethical Tea: From Organic Tea to Fairtrade
Which tea brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Tea Ratings Table to compare brands’ scores.
How ethical is a cup of tea?
A cup of tea is an important part of many people’s morning routines, particularly for people in the UK. The Fairtrade Foundation estimates that 70,000 cups of tea are drunk every second! But how can you ensure that your morning brew is not contributing to human rights issues and environmental degradation? Buying organic tea or Fairtrade are both good ways to lessen the social and environmental impact of your cuppa. So how else can consumers safeguard tea farmers, the environment around tea plantations and the wildlife affected by this industry?
How is tea sometimes unethically produced?
Unfortunately, many popular tea brands in the UK source their tea from suppliers that do not treat their workers fairly. Tea production is rife with issues such as unfair wages, poor working conditions, and even child labour.
In 2021, Oxfam India published a case study on the lives of tea plantation workers in Assam, India. The report found that many workers were not earning enough money to meet their basic needs and were unable to provide their families with essentials such as housing, clothing, and nutritious food.
We therefore encourage you to purchase Fairtrade tea, as this increases the likelihood that the tea farmers and tea producers are receiving adequate wages and work in decent conditions. Although purchasing Fairtrade tea is not a perfect solution, it is a start!
Your daily cup of tea may also be harming the environment, particularly if the tea bags contain plastic. Plastic is sometimes used to seal tea bags together, which means they cannot be recycled and, even worse, you may be drinking microplastics! Fortunately, many companies offer plastic-free tea bags, so this can be easily avoided.
Our Ethical Tea Ratings Table shows you how the leading tea brands are performing on issues such as sustainability, animal welfare, and human rights.
This provides you with an easy way to find out if your favourite tea brand is ethical and whether there are better, more sustainable alternatives available. Several of these brands sell organic tea, as well as Fairtrade tea, which are both good steps towards more ethical and sustainable tea consumption.
Our research findings: the lack of Fairtrade tea brands
Our latest research into the tea sector found that abuses against plantation workers are still occurring in many tea companies’ supply chains. This is clearly a major concern, as socially conscious consumers will want to avoid giving their money to companies that condone these unethical and unfair practices.
In 2021, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre published a report on the abuses against several women working on a tea plantation in Malawi. The women filed a claim against their employer for failing to protect them from coercion, harassment, and discrimination by their male co-workers. The plantation was revealed as a supplier to many popular tea brands, including Tetley, Typhoo, PG Tips, Pukka, Yorkshire Tea, and Taylors of Harrogate.
We were disappointed to see the lack of Fairtrade tea products being offered by the brands in our research. Although 11/19 brands researched were found to sell at least one Fairtrade tea product, only 3 of these brands sell either 100% or mostly Fairtrade tea.
Hence, some companies offering Fairtrade products are not fully committed to the scheme and are not bringing their entire product range up to fair-trade standards. For companies that produce either 100% or mostly Fairtrade tea, look for companies in our Ethical Tea Ratings Table that received a top rating under our Fairtrade category.
The official Fairtrade certification means that “Fairtrade is a system of certification that aims to ensure a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product or ingredient. For farmers and workers, Fairtrade means workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay.” (From the Fairtrade website.)
Though the Fairtrade mark is by no means a perfect benchmark (you can read more about the problems with Fairtrade here), it has raised awareness for ethical tea and other products in recent decades. It is a good place to start!
How to make your cup of tea ethical: Buy Fairtrade and organic tea
So, what can you do to make your next cup of tea more ethical? We have identified some solutions that can help you achieve this goal.
Firstly, we have mentioned the importance of buying Fairtrade tea. But why does this make your cup of tea more ethical? The Fairtrade Foundation sets standards for better workers’ rights in tea plantations, guaranteeing tea farmers a minimum price as well as additional premium pay.
This means that Fairtrade tea is typically made by farmers who receive greater job security and more income to feed their families than non-Fairtrade tea. Many Fairtrade tea farmers invest their additional wages in services such as housing, education, and healthcare. Hence, they are more likely to achieve a good quality of life for themselves and their families.
Organic tea as an ethical option
As well as buying Fairtrade, organic tea is also a good option for being more ethical. Organic tea is made without pesticides, which are known for polluting soil, water, and killing important wildlife species. By purchasing organic tea, you are supporting brands that protect the planet from harmful chemicals. Some pesticides and harmful chemicals can be released from the tea leaves during steeping, if they are water-soluble.
Organic tea is also better for the farmers and producers who work with the tea crops. Pesticides can be harmful to humans as well as to wildlife, and so buying from organic tea brands is better for people, as well as the soil, plants, waterways and animals. You can read more about organic farming methods in our research methodology explanation.
Smaller farms and businesses are often organic, as organic tea growing methods are sometimes unsuitable for large-scale companies. By buying organic, you are helping smaller companies and growers to survive in a competitive market. Growing tea is big business, and so large tea companies often take up huge amounts of space, resulting in deforestation and widespread damage through pesticide run-off contaminating local water systems. Supporting organic tea growers helps to prevent further widespread damage to people and wildlife.
Moreover, organic tea is completely free of GMOs, which is a great benefit if you are concerned about the risks of lab-made food products. It is important to note however, that organic tea does still contain caffeine, unless otherwise stated, and so those looking to cut caffeine from their diet should still avoid organic tea that is not clearly labelled as de-caf.
Ethical and sustainable tea brands
Many of the brands in the green section of our Ethical Tea Ratings Table sell both organic tea and Fairtrade tea, so there are many options available for you to try! Clipper scores well on our Ethical Tea Ratings Table, scoring well in our categories for the Environment, People and Animals. Wunder Workshop also is rated very highly, and has been awarded Ethical Accreditation for its ethical values and sustainable production of its tea products.
See our Ethical Tea Ratings Table to compare brands
The Good Shopping Guide has researched and ranked the biggest tea brands (and some smaller ones too!) Click on any of these brand names to find out more information about your favourite brew brand…
Clipper, Cafédirect, Hampstead, Wunder Workshop, Dragonfly, Lipton, PG Tips, Pukka, Rare Tea Co., Ridgways, Typhoo, Whittard of Chelsea, Jacksons of Piccadilly, Twinings, Yorkshire Tea, Good Earth, Tea Pigs and Tetley.
Why should consumers consider ethics when buying tea?
Tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world, but its production can involve serious ethical issues. These include low wages, poor working conditions, and environmental damage from intensive farming. Because millions of people depend on tea production globally, choosing ethical tea helps support fairer treatment of workers and more sustainable farming practices.
What are the main social issues in the global tea industry?
Many tea workers are paid very low wages and may face poor or unstable working conditions. In some regions, labour rights issues include long hours and limited protections. Although tea is a multi-billion-dollar industry, only a small share of profits reaches workers, which is why fairer trading systems are considered important.
How does Fairtrade tea improve ethical standards?
Fairtrade certification aims to ensure farmers and workers receive fairer prices, better working conditions, and community investment funds. These premiums can support healthcare, education and infrastructure in tea-growing regions. While not perfect, Fairtrade helps reduce exploitation and improve economic stability for smallholder farmers and plantation workers.
Why is organic tea considered more ethical?
Organic tea is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, which helps protect soil health, water systems and biodiversity. It also reduces chemical exposure for farm workers. Many ethical ratings favour organic tea because it tends to support more sustainable agricultural practices compared with conventional intensive farming methods.
Are Fairtrade and organic certifications enough to guarantee ethical tea?
Not completely. While both certifications improve standards, they do not always guarantee perfect working conditions or fully transparent supply chains. Some reports suggest that even certified farms can still face labour issues. However, these labels are still useful indicators of better practices compared with uncertified mass-market tea production.
Which tea brands are considered more ethical or sustainable?
Brands such as Clipper, Cafédirect, Pukka Herbs, Hampstead Tea, Dragonfly, and Tea Pigs are often rated highly. They tend to use organic ingredients, Fairtrade sourcing, sustainable packaging and stronger environmental commitments, including carbon reduction and biodiversity-friendly farming practices.
What makes some mainstream tea brands less ethical?
Large commercial tea brands are often rated lower because they may rely on non-Fairtrade supply chains, weaker environmental reporting, and less transparency about worker conditions. Some also lack full commitments to organic or sustainable sourcing, which reduces their ethical performance in comparisons.
How can consumers make more ethical tea choices?
Consumers can choose tea that is Fairtrade, organic, or both, look for brands with clear sustainability reports, and avoid products with unclear sourcing. Supporting companies that prioritise worker welfare and environmental protection helps reduce harm in global tea supply chains and encourages more responsible production practices.
Is Clipper an Ethical Tea Brand?
Clipper sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs strongly in Environmental Report, Organic standards, and Fairtrade sourcing, reflecting robust ethical and sustainable practices. However, it falls short in Ethical Accreditation and has not achieved Ethical Innovator Status. As it exceeds the benchmark but lacks accreditation, achieving Ethical Accreditation could further strengthen recognition of its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Hampstead an Ethical Tea Brand?
Hampstead sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs strongly in Environmental Report, Organic certification, and Fairtrade practices, reflecting a clear commitment to sustainable and responsible sourcing. However, it falls short in Ethical Accreditation and has not achieved Ethical Innovator Status. As it exceeds the benchmark but lacks accreditation, gaining Ethical Accreditation could further strengthen recognition of its ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Dragonfly an Ethical Tea Brand?
Dragonfly sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs strongly in Environmental Report, Organic standards, GMO avoidance, and overall sustainability commitments, reflecting a clear approach to responsible sourcing. However, it falls short in Ethical Accreditation and has not achieved Ethical Innovator Status. As it exceeds the benchmark but lacks accreditation, obtaining Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Whittard of Chelsea an Ethical Tea Brand?
Whittard of Chelsea sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in Organic sourcing and Environmental Report categories, reflecting generally responsible practices in its supply chain. However, it falls short in Fairtrade performance and Ethical Accreditation, and has not achieved Ethical Innovator Status. While it exceeds the benchmark, achieving Ethical Accreditation could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices.
Is Rare Tea Co an Ethical Tea Brand?
Rare Tea Co sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in Environmental Report and responsible sourcing practices, including direct trade relationships with farmers. However, it falls short in Organic and Fairtrade standards and lacks Ethical Accreditation and Ethical Innovator Status. Readers seeking stronger ethical performance can compare alternative brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Jacksons of Piccadilly an Ethical Tea Brand?
Jacksons of Piccadilly sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in Fairtrade and Environmental Report criteria, showing some responsible sourcing practices, but falls short in Organic standards, Genetic Modification, and Ethical Accreditation, with no Ethical Innovator Status. Readers seeking stronger ethical alignment can consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table to identify brands that meet or exceed the benchmark.
Is Typhoo an Ethical Tea Brand?
Typhoo sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It shows some strength in Environmental Report and Fairtrade-related activity, but falls short in Organic standards, Genetic Modification transparency, and Ethical Accreditation, with no Ethical Innovator Status. Readers seeking more ethically aligned choices can compare alternatives that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Pukka an Ethical Tea Brand?
Pukka sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in Organic and Environmental Report criteria, reflecting some commitment to sustainable sourcing and production. However, it falls short in Fairtrade, Political Donations, Fossil Fuel involvement, and Ethical Accreditation, with no Ethical Innovator Status. Readers can compare alternatives that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table to find more ethically aligned brands.
Is Twinings an Ethical Tea Brand?
Twinings sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in Environmental Report and Animal Welfare, indicating some responsible practices in its operations. However, it falls short in Fairtrade, Genetic Modification transparency, and Ethical Accreditation, and has not achieved Ethical Innovator Status. Readers can compare alternative brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table to find more ethically aligned options.
Is Yorkshire Tea an Ethical Tea Brand?
Yorkshire Tea sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in Environmental Report, Animal Welfare, Political Donations, and Fossil Fuel avoidance, reflecting some responsible corporate practices. However, it falls short in Organic and Fairtrade sourcing and Ethical Accreditation, with no Ethical Innovator Status. Readers can compare stronger-performing brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Good Earth an Ethical Tea Brand?
Good Earth sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well in Animal Welfare, but falls short in Environmental Report, Fairtrade sourcing, and broader supply-chain responsibility. It also lacks Ethical Accreditation and Ethical Innovator Status. Readers can identify more ethically aligned options by comparing brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Tea Pigs an Ethical Tea Brand?
Tea Pigs sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs well only in Animal Welfare, while falling short in Environmental Report, Organic and Fairtrade standards, and broader supply-chain responsibility. It also lacks Ethical Accreditation and Ethical Innovator Status. Readers seeking more ethically aligned options can compare brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
Is Tetley an Ethical Tea Brand?
Tetley sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table. It performs relatively well in Animal Welfare, indicating no major concerns in that area, but falls short in Environmental Report, Organic and Fairtrade standards, and Ethical Accreditation, with no Ethical Innovator Status. Consumers seeking more ethically aligned options can compare brands that meet or exceed the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Tea Ethical Ratings Table.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.