Environment & Sustainability

That long view of stewardship continues today, with the island quietly leading the way in thoughtful, low-impact tourism on the Isles of Scilly.

From the rugged northern headlands to the shelter of the subtropical Tresco Abbey Garden, from open pasture to pale sand, the island is cared for by our own team - farmers, gardeners, groundsmen, rangers and woodsmen who know every field and footpath.

Much of Tresco remains farmland. Around 160 acres of pasture are grazed by our beef herd at Tresco Farm. Beyond the farm gates, we work in partnership to protect the wider landscape.

Tresco is a key funding partner of the Isles of Scilly National Landscape and a major supporter of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. We also collaborate closely with the RSPB and Natural England to safeguard wildlife habitats and Sites of Special Scientific Interest - ensuring the island’s natural richness endures for generations to come.

For many years, Tresco has taken a practical, forward-thinking approach to recycling on Scilly. Glass is crushed here on the island and reused as aggregate. Metal, plastic and cardboard are sent to the mainland for recycling, and any residual waste is directed to a mainland waste-to-energy facility.

With support from the European Regional Development Fund, we’ve developed a dedicated Recycling Hub to improve both efficiency and recycling rates. We’ve also introduced a biodigester that transforms island food waste into a nutrient-rich soil enhancer, used in the Abbey Garden.

While we can now recycle plastic, reducing it at source remains an ongoing priority. Tresco Stores has been plastic bag-free for over two decades, uses biodegradable deli packaging, sources loose fruit and vegetables wherever possible, and prioritises stocking drinks in cans or glass bottles. We were also the first island on Scilly to eliminate plastic straws entirely across our restaurants and shop. Refillable water bottles are encouraged, with free refill points across the island.

At outdoor gatherings, including our Low Tide event, crockery and cutlery are either drawn from existing restaurant stock or are fully recyclable or biodegradable. Careful litter checks follow every event, and regular organised (and sometimes spontaneous) beach cleans are part of island life.

Sustainability underpins every project on the island. New builds are designed with high levels of insulation and a considered mix of passive and active technologies to reduce energy use and conserve heat.

When cottages are renovated, insulation is upgraded and new technologies introduced wherever appropriate. Many now operate with air source heat pumps, and solar panels are routinely considered for all new and redeveloped roofs - steady, practical steps towards reducing our impact.

Tresco’s car-free nature plays its part too. With only a small number of tractors and service vehicles - many of them electric - the island remains quiet, safe and low impact. Our newest transport shuttles are fully electric, and we’re gradually transitioning the rest of our fleet where appropriate.

For guests with limited mobility, golf buggies and mobility scooters are available to hire. For most visitors, bicycles or simply walking are the natural choice - nowhere here is very far.