In The News
Get to Know our CEO, Gerry Vandergrift
July 17, 2025
Sip Magazine is produced by the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada. In their summer issue, Gerry talks about his career and day-to-day work at Metro, his favourite fact about tea, and one of his most unique experiences while sourcing!
Royal Bank of Canada features Metropolitan's Sustainability Initiatives
July 7, 2025
"Metropolitan Tea’s mission is to deliver an unparalleled tea experience. Achieving this means caring about every step in the process, from how tea is grown to how it’s packaged.
“In the ’80s and ’90s, the seasons were predictable,” Vandergrift recalls. “Now it’s hit and miss — droughts, storms, and too much rain all affect the quality.”
As such, sustainability has been a priority for Vandergrift and his team since day one. Key measures include:
- 2,500+ solar panels on their manufacturing facility
- 100% compostable tea bags and envelopes
- Vacuum-packed designs that reduce shipping volume by 15–20%
- Post-consumer waste used for all carton boxes
- LED lighting and energy-saving systems throughout their facility
- Rehabilitating a 200-acre abandoned farm into a carbon sink
- Sourcing tea from high-altitude regions where pesticides aren’t needed
The full article explores how our commitment to people and planet helps lead to a better product and stronger financial results.
Seen at SIAL Canada
May 14, 2025
"The Metropolitan Tea Company is proudly Canadian, with their factory located in Toronto, Ontario. They offer over 2,000 premium products and import teas and ingredients directly and ethically from farmers around the world before assembling them in Canada.
The Cream Earl Grey 988 is one of the brand’s most popular teas. Made from black tea imported from Sri Lanka combined with cornflower and natural flavours, the result is a tea with lush layers of bergamot and creamy notes that can be enjoyed hot or cold, as well as in a London Fog or tea-based cocktails. The tea bags are commercially compostable, and the packaging materials are 100% recyclable."
Read more on the SIAL website.
Royal Bank of Canada features Metropolitan Tea in Client Success Story
April 2025
Luxury quality, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility have always been core to Metropolitan Tea Company. Learn how our environmental sustainability initiatives contribute to better tea, and a better bottom line by reading the article.
RBC also filmed a video interview with Gerry, our founder and CEO, discussing why ESG matters to our business.
Metropolitan Teas are Now Halal Certified
April 2024
Over the past few months, our team has worked with the Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA) to certify our teas and herbal ingredients. We take pride in announcing that we now offer Halal products, in addition to being Kosher and Vegan certified.
Learn more about our certifications, here
High Tea: Sustainable, Solar Powered Luxury | Part 3 | Food & Beverage Magazine
November 2023
"...These practices are a true testament to the power each individual company has in creating environmental sustainability and global mindfulness." From crop to cup, we're on a plant-based mission to share our passion for luxury tea, while being kind to the planet.
Read the full interview where we share our approach to sustainable business practices at our factory, in our local community, and around the world.
High Tea: Compostable Luxury | Part 2 | Food & Beverage Magazine
September 2023
"We've always believed that the healthier the planet, the better the tea. As a global business, it is essential to implement this ethos into every step of the process, from crop to cup, including packaging."
Read the full interview with our CEO and President, Gerry Vandergrift, to learn more about our company's history and ongoing evolution with sustainable packaging materials.
High Tea: Making Luxury Compostable | Food & Beverage Magazine
August 2023
"By recognizing the value of luxury tea and investing in tea sommeliers, hospitality outlets can set themselves apart and attract customers seeking unique and indulgent experiences."
Read the full article where our CEO and President, Gerry Vandergrift, discusses the solutions and hurdles of creating a greener, posher, and more delightful hospitality experience.
METZ Luxury Tea wins Silver Award in Technical Innovation from Flexible Packaging Association
April 23, 2023
We are excited to share that our METZ Tea overwrap envelope material received Silver in Technical Innovation from the Flexible Packaging Association for showcasing innovation and advances that have changed flexible packaging.
See the full list of winners here.
The METZ overwrap envelopes use ProAmpac's ProActive Compostable® CMP-2000 structure for their premium single-serve teas. CPM-2000 is a high-barrier paper-based laminate for dry foods. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified that CPM-2000 complies with the specifications established by the American Society of Testing and Materials Standards' ASTM D6868 for industrial composability.
METZ Luxury Tea wins Best Organic Tea at Marie Claire Hong Kong's Best Label Award
September 14, 2022
They said, "METZ Luxury Tea has been committed to discovering high-quality tea from all over the world for many years, providing everyone with a high-quality, healthy, expensive and sustainable five-star tea tasting experience."
"The tea has a strong aroma and unique characteristics. It is unforgettable after a try. With a sip, it will bring you a healthy effect of balancing body, mind and spirit."
Read the full article and review here.
