6 Easy Ways to Recycle Used Tea Leaves

I initially wrote this article before NYC made composting mandatory. 

At the time, I felt a twinge of guilt when I noticed the sheer volume of used tea leaves I was throwing away.

For years, composting in NYC wasn’t exactly easy. It was inconsistent, voluntary, and often unavailable depending on your building. But that has changed.

As of now, NYC has rolled out a citywide, mandatory composting program, making it easier than ever for households to divert food scraps—including tea leaves—from the landfill.

Even so, composting isn’t the only option.

Since cutting back on tea wasn’t happening, I decided to research, experiment, and put together six simple ways to reuse used tea leaves—focusing on what to do after the leaves have given up all their flavor.

Note: I didn’t include re-brewing methods (like hot brewing after cold brewing). I’ll cover brewing techniques in a separate post. This guide is about reuse once the leaves are truly spent.

This post is part of our Tea Education Series. Sign up to read more like this!

1. Used Tea Leaves as Food

Eating tea leaves might sound unusual, but it’s not new. We’ve previously shared a mushroom fried rice recipe using our Smoky Pu-erh (2017).

If you’re adding tea leaves directly to food—fried rice, noodles, salads—I recommend using young raw pu-erh, green tea, or white tea. With heavily oxidized or deeply aged teas, I personally find there’s more of a mental hurdle.

Another approach is to pickle the leaves, which softens their flavor and texture.

Simple Tea Pickle (inspired by Nepalese fermentation practices)

Shared with me by Ezra Szkup

• Step 1: Add leftover tea leaves, 1 tablespoon salt, a splash of kombucha starter, and lime juice to a mason jar
• Step 2: Seal and store in a warm, dark place for 7–10 days
• Step 3: Use as a salad topping or garnish

2. Used Tea Leaves as a Deodorizer

Tea is highly absorbent—which is why I always recommend storing tea outside the kitchen. The flip side? Used tea leaves make excellent natural deodorizers.

How to use them:

• Step 1: Dry the leaves fully on a tray or plate to prevent mold
• Step 2: Place them in a cheesecloth or muslin bag
• Step 3: (Optional) Add a drop of natural essential oil (avoid artificial fragrances if you plan to compost later)
• Step 4: Place in your fridge, closet, drawer, shoes, or gym bag

I’ve even heard of people adding dried tea leaves to pillows to promote better sleep.

3. Used Tea Leaves for Cleaning

Ironically, tea is usually the reason I am cleaning—but it can help clean, too. 

• Cutting board:Let damp leaves sit on the board for a few minutes before scrubbing to absorb odors. The leaves should absorb strong odors like meat or fish.
  
  
• Dirty dishes: Use leaves to wipe away grease before washing. 
  
  
• Glass & shower doors: Brew very weak tea and test on shower glass before trying windows (less risk of staining)

4. Tea Leaves for Skin Care

Tea is rich in antioxidants like catechins, which is why it shows up in so many skincare products.

You can:

• Soak cotton pads in tea and place them over tired eyes
• Add tea to a bath
• Make a gentle scrub or mask

I recommend using lighter teas (green, white, raw pu-erh) and always patch-testing first to avoid irritation or staining.

Note: If the leaves have truly been brewed until flavorless, most antioxidants are already consumed—so skincare works best with fresher leaves.

5. Used Tea Leaves for Art

This idea came from Marian, a member of our Mansa Tea Society—and I loved it.

Her daughter steeps used tea leaves to make natural watercolors:

• Oolong: light ocher tones
• Pu-erh: rich umber hues
• Matcha: vibrant, textured green

Color intensity depends on the amount of tea and steeping time. It’s a beautiful way to turn tea into a creative, low-waste weekend activity.

(Tea’s tannin content has also historically been used for tanning animal hides, though that’s a topic for another day.)

6. Tea Leaves for Gardening and Composting

And finally—composting.

With NYC’s mandatory composting program now in effect, tea leaves are officially one of the easiest food scraps to divert from the landfill. Most buildings now have brown bins or designated collection, and curbside pickup is expanding citywide.

Beyond composting, tea leaves can also be used in gardens:

• Watering: Boil spent leaves, cool completely, and water plants
• Mulching: Dry leaves and layer 3–4 inches on soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds

Composting tips:

• Aim for a balanced mix of greens and browns
  • Greens (nitrogen-rich): tea leaves, food scraps, grass clippings
  • Browns (carbon-rich): dried leaves, paper, cardboard

• A common starting ratio is 1 part greens to 3 parts browns

• You can store scraps in the freezer to reduce odor until pickup day

(And yes—coffee grounds are considered “greens” despite their color.)

A Final Thought

I hope this guide helps us all become a little more thoughtful—and a little more creative—as tea drinkers.

At Mansa Tea, we’re also continuing to explore ways to make our packaging more sustainable, and we’ll share updates as we move forward.

This post is part of our Tea Education series. Sign up to read more like this.