Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present population, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Quite simply, it’s about the future; how do we live today whilst allowing future generations to still thrive? Our planet has many resources that we depend upon and timber is perhaps one of the first that we were to utilise. Trees are a resource that can replenish, however this only works if you do it at a rate that allows for new growth. Unfortunately, excessive consumption of these resources over generations has resulted in a depleted resource and declining health of the ecosystems.
At JTW we acknowledge the complexity of the issue and aim to contribute to sustainable development. In the context of our business the largest change we can implement is choosing where we source our timber from. As of August 2021 we have our own saw mill that operates throughout the southwest of WA. The trees we select are determined by the environment as we only mill trees that have fallen over and must be cleared. Typically these fallen trees are cut into firewood or intentionally burned to clear the land. The sawmill we operate at JTW is portable and demountable, which allows us to bring the machinery to the tree and mill it where it fell. This negates the need to bring in heavy machinery to clear the area, which would have a significant impact on the surrounding environment.
Byproducts
JTW is committed to re-purposing waste products too. Sawdust, being the main unavoidable waste product, is repurposed locally at community gardens. Whether it's used for mulching, path maintenance or killing weeds there's always a use for sawdust around the garden. Other unavoidable byproducts from the machining process are the offcuts. Timber used for furniture production is kiln-dried so small offcuts make perfect fuel for pizza ovens or fires in the colder months. For pieces too large to burn but not large enough for furniture commissions we sell to local hobbyist woodworkers who have smaller projects in mind.
A new oil-based finish
In mid 2020 JTW transitioned to a solvent-free, food safe and non-toxic wood finish. No more gloves or respirator required! The blend of oil and wax is a natural way to stabilise and finish furniture. Another benefit of the finish is its excellent penetration into the wood's surface and pores. As the timber becomes completely saturated in oil the surface becomes both hydrophobic and UV resistant.
Built to last
Given the appropriate care and maintenance, furniture produced by JTW is built to stand the test of time. Constructed from Western Australian hardwoods your piece of furniture is guaranteed to outlive flimsy laminate alternatives that ultimately end up on the verge after a few years. If you have a spot of bad luck and damage your piece of furniture JTW can arrange a refinishing or touch-up service.
