Tregothnan: Plastic-Free Since 1334 — And Now Again!

Tregothnan has been home to the same family since 1334, continuously farming and living on the land for nearly 700 years. For centuries, we thrived without plastics—long before they were invented in the 19th century. Like many organisations, we embraced plastics when they became widely used, integrating them into modern operations. Plastic can be a valuable material for safety and preservation of food and drink, but has become overused.

Now, we are returning to our roots. Sustainability is at the heart of Tregothnan, and we are happily working towards eliminating plastics from our products and practices once again. Our journey back to a plastic-free future isn’t just a statement—it’s a privilege to honour our past while protecting the future. Join us in embracing a world where nature thrives, just as it has at Tregothnan since 1334. 

Did you know how relatively recently plastics appeared? The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. However, natural plastics such as rubber and shellac have been used for centuries. 

Here’s a brief timeline of key developments in plastics: 

  • 1855: Alexander Parkes created Parkesine, a precursor to modern plastics. 
  • 1869: John Wesley Hyatt improved on Parkesine to create celluloid, the first widely used plastic. 
  • 1907: Leo Baekeland developed Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic. 
  • 1930s–1940s: The rise of modern plastics like polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and nylon. 
  • 1950s–Present: Mass production of plastics for packaging, textiles, and consumer goods. 

So, while plastic-like materials have existed for a long time, the true plastic revolution began in the 20th century, with widespread commercial use accelerating after World War II. 

Polytunnels use a lot of plastic and Tregothnan knew from its research that the favoured climate found on just 120 acres of the estate would allow tea to grow without a plastic covering. So when you hear claims of being plastic free, check that the tea isn’t actually grown under plastic! 

For most of the four centuries that the UK have been drinking some excellent tea, we managed without plastic packaging. Rediscover plastic free tea with Tregothnan.