How We Source Our Timbers For Mulbury Picture Frames And Put Every Off-Cut to Good Use 

At Mulbury, we believe in taking sustainability beyond just words. Every piece of timber we work with has a past life and a story, which we aim to honour and preserve. Our approach to sourcing materials and minimising waste reflects our commitment to the environment and a circular economy. We’ll walk you through our journey of sourcing timber sustainably, reimagining offcuts, and embracing eco-friendly practices.

0:00 - Introduction
0:20 - Using Local Hardwood Timber
0:49 - Reviving Timber with Oils and Waxes
1:13 - Commitment to Hand Tools
1:44 - Solar-Powered Workshop
2:00 - Striving for Zero Waste
2:31 - Recycling Acrylic and Timber Offcuts
3:13 - Using Timber Offcuts for Furniture

Sourcing Our Timber for Picture Frames

Where We Source Timber

Our timber is sourced from deconstruction sites where old structures are taken apart. This allows us to obtain hardwood that would otherwise be discarded, reducing the environmental impact of construction waste. From commercial buildings to residential sites, we rescue timber that’s rich in history and character, giving it a new purpose.

Our Partnership with Local Suppliers

At Mulbury, we’re fortunate to have a reliable network of local builders and tradespeople who supply us with the hardwood timber we need. These partnerships not only support the local economy but also ensure we get consistent, high-quality timber.

Preference for Hardwood Timber

We favour hardwood for its durability, strength, and longevity. Hardwoods like Australian, hardwoods hold up beautifully over time and lend themselves to the unique aesthetic of our picture frames. This commitment helps us offer products that are both sustainable and high-quality, standing the test of time.

Saving Timber from Landfill

Environmental Impact of Landfill

Timber waste often ends up in landfills, where it releases methane—a potent greenhouse gas—as it decomposes. By sourcing our timber from sites where it might otherwise be discarded, we’re actively reducing the carbon footprint of our operations.

Redirecting Waste Timber

Instead of letting this beautiful hardwood end up in the firewood pile or landfill, we reclaim it and transform it. By doing so, we not only extend the life of the timber but also introduce its unique grain, knots, and character to our products, each carrying its history into a new chapter.

Timber Framing Processing Techniques

Handcrafted Over CNC

We take pride in crafting each frame using hand tools instead of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines. Hand tools not only preserve the artisanal touch in each product but also consume less power, making our process more eco-friendly.

The Role of Artisans

Our skilled artisans bring their respect for timber into every project. They understand the natural qualities of the wood, working with its grains and imperfections to highlight its true beauty. Their care and dedication make each piece we create unique, embodying both craftsmanship and sustainability.

Enhancing Timber’s Natural Beauty

Sanding and Polishing

The first step in our timber processing is careful sanding and polishing to remove any rough edges. This preparation process reveals the inherent beauty of the wood, preparing it for the next steps where it will truly shine.

Nourishing with Waxes and Oils

We treat each piece with natural waxes and oils, which act as a “moisturiser” for the wood. This not only nourishes the timber but also protects it, adding durability and a beautiful, lustrous finish. It’s a simple touch that brings the timber to life and highlights its natural grain.

Aiming for Zero Waste

Our Zero-Waste Goal

Aiming for a zero-waste policy is a major focus for us, though we’re not there just yet. Every step of our production process is designed with sustainability in mind, minimising waste wherever possible.

Uses for Sawdust

Even our sawdust finds a purpose! We provide it to local chicken farmers, mushroom growers, and industrial manufacturers, where it’s used for various applications like bedding, composting, and floor absorption. By repurposing sawdust, we’re finding value in every part of the timber.

Recycled Acrylic Use

Acrylic for Kids’ Workshops

In addition to timber, we use a 50% recycled acrylic sheet for some products. The off cuts of this material are donated to children’s workshops, where young artists can paint and create on clear acrylic sheets. This initiative not only reduces waste but also fosters creativity in a new generation.

Art Projects for Schools

Our recycled acrylic offcuts are also distributed to schools for use in art projects. Teachers and students alike appreciate these materials, which allow them to explore artistic possibilities while learning about sustainability.

Creative Uses for Timber Offcuts

Making Furniture from Offcuts

The offcuts from our picture frames are not wasted. Instead, they are repurposed into unique furniture pieces like chairs and stools. Each piece is assembled from the offcuts, creating functional, eco-friendly items that speak to our commitment to sustainability.

Custom Timber Projects

We’re constantly exploring new ways to use our timber offcuts, transforming them into bespoke items for our customers. From small decor pieces to practical household items, our offcuts are an invitation to creativity and a step towards a zero-waste future.

Mulbury’s Eco-Friendly Production

Sustainable Machinery Choices 

Whenever possible, we select eco-conscious machinery that minimises power consumption. From hand tools to energy-efficient machines, every choice we make considers its environmental impact, ensuring that our operations are in line with our values.

Educating the Public on Sustainability

Transparency in Sourcing

We’re passionate about educating our customers on our sourcing and production methods. By being transparent, we hope to inspire others to consider the impact of their purchases and choose products that contribute to sustainability.

Inspiring Eco-Friendly Choices

Our goal is to make sustainable products more accessible and appealing. By sharing our journey and values, we aim to encourage customers to make eco-friendly choices, both in their purchasing decisions and in their daily lives.

FAQ Section

Why does Mulbury choose recycled timber?

Recycled timber not only minimises waste but also preserves the unique character of Australian hardwoods. Each piece of timber we use has a history, adding depth and charm to our products.

How do you ensure your timber is sustainably sourced?

We source from local building deconstruction sites and maintain relationships with trusted suppliers. By reclaiming timber that would otherwise go to waste, we contribute to a more sustainable construction industry.

What types of products can you create with offcuts?

Our off cuts are used to create a variety of items, from furniture pieces like stools and chairs to smaller household decor. Each item embodies our zero-waste ethos and commitment to craftsmanship.

How does Mulbury support local trades and communities?

We work closely with local builders, tradespeople, and artisans, sourcing timber from nearby sites and supporting the local economy. Our partnerships extend to farmers, schools, and workshops where our by-products find new purpose.

How do you handle offcuts from acrylic sheets?

The offcuts of our recycled acrylic sheets are donated to schools and children’s workshops, where they’re used in art projects. This initiative not only reduces waste but also encourages creativity in young artists.

At Mulbury, sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s woven into every aspect of what we do. From sourcing reclaimed timber and using traditional hand tools to transforming offcuts into useful items, our commitment to the environment drives each decision we make. As we continue to refine our zero-waste approach, we’re excited to share our journey with our customers and inspire eco-friendly choices along the way.

How Mulbury can help you with your high-quality picture frame and photo frame needs

At Mulbury, we’re passionate about what we do. We take pride in our craftsmanship and our commitment to sustainability. By choosing us to transform your timber into a beautiful frame, you're not just getting a product—you're preserving a piece of history and creating something that will be cherished for years to come.

• An extensive range of recycled timber styles to suit your home
• Custom picture framing
• Excellent customer service to help you select the perfect frame
• Installation of your art
• Shipping around Australia
• High quality frames to last a lifetime

Get in touch - we'd love to help you!

To make an enquiry, please heading to our Custom Framing Page and fill out the form or head straight to our standard size picture frames.

Prefer to pick up the phone? Call us on 03 9532 3424

Email: hello@mulbury.com.au

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Transcript: 

0:00 - Introduction

0:06 - Timber Sourcing

0:20 - Using Local Hardwood Timber

0:49 - Reviving Timber with Oils and Waxes

1:13 - Commitment to Hand Tools

1:44 - Solar-Powered Workshop

2:00 - Striving for Zero Waste

2:31 - Recycling Acrylic and Timber Offcuts

3:13 - Using Timber Offcuts for Furniture

3:32 - Sample Furniture

Hi, this is Gerry from Mulbury. Today I want to talk to you about how we source our timbers and everything else. We source our timbers from any building site that’s deconstructing a structure of some sort. We generally only use hardwood timbers.

We have a range of people who supply our timber – from local builders to all kinds of tradies who provide us with hardwood timber, as you can see in the background here. What we aim to do is take this timber and save it from going to landfill or waste. People burn it in their fires, et cetera. This is absolutely beautiful Aussie hardwood timber, and what we're trying to do is give it a new life and let more people admire it.

Once we sand it and clean it up, we use nourishing waxes and oils. It adds moisture to the timber, just like how you'd put moisturiser on your face – it gives it another lease of life. This timber just shines; it comes alive. It's absolutely beautiful. It’s just such an honour for us to be able to use this and to cut down on our environmental impact.

We try to use hand tools as much as we can. We don't have any CNC computer cutters or anything like that. We don’t believe in all that; we believe that good old-fashioned hand tools are still the best. We’ve got two artisans here helping me, and they’re absolutely fantastic. Their respect for the timber and where it came from, and everything else, is just outstanding. I’m really lucky to have them working with me.

Our whole building here is also run on solar power. That’s probably the little hum you can hear in the background – it’s our solar setup, powering our building, some of the machinery, and everything else.

When it comes to waste, our aim is to have a zero-waste policy. We’re not there yet, but we’ll get there soon, I’m sure.

Our offcuts, like sawdust, go to chicken farmers, mushroom growers, and even some industrial manufacturers. They come to collect it to use in their production – they’ve got oil in their setups, so they use the sawdust on the floor, then pick it up, and it goes into compost or wherever else it’s needed. We work with landscapers as well.

We also use a 50% recycled acrylic sheet, and any offcuts from the acrylic and timber are donated to kids’ workshops for them to paint on. They peel the acrylic backing off and can paint on it, then put it on their windows. We’re creating another market for kids to enjoy, and they love it. So all of that stuff, we try to recycle.

Now, I’m going to show you what we do with the offcuts from when we make our frames. This is what we have after cutting timber to size to make mouldings for our picture frames. We’ve got a whole bin full of these offcuts, and I’ll show you how we make use of them. We’re trying to use everything up.

Here’s what we do with the offcuts – have a look here! We make a chair out of them or a stool, and it’s all loose-fit. That way, it doesn’t go to waste or landfill. But yeah, you can sit down, relax, and have a drink.

What’s your favourite TV show or movie? Imagine enjoying it all in an eco-friendly recycled timber chair!