It was in ancient China during the Han Dynasty of 206 BC – 220 AD that Cai Lun came up with a new papermaking process, said to have been inspired by watching wasps make their nests. This new technique consisted of soaking a mixture of organic fibres like hemp, bark and silk, draining the water and pressing the pulp into a thin sheet, then drying it in the sun.

One of the earliest uses of paper documented around this time was to protect and wrap delicate objects. By the 6th century there is evidence that paper was also used for packaging tea and the first paper bag was created, although it wouldn’t be until 1870 that Margaret Knight patented a machine to make flat-bottomed grocery bags.

From paper came cardboard, and also waxed or waterproofed paper, although today much of that waterproofing of paper packaging, for example paper cartons designed to hold liquids, is plasticised with polyethylene.

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