Table of Contents

• Why February is the perfect moment to rethink sustainable living
• Sustainable living starts at home and stays there
• Waste less, live more sustainably
• Choosing better products without the guilt
• Transportation choices that quietly make a difference
• Food, farming, and future generations
• Community, connection, and taking action
• Sustainable living without the pressure

Why February is the perfect moment to rethink sustainable living

The National Sustainable Living Festival exists for a reason. Climate change is no longer an abstract idea discussed at dinner parties. It is something we experience through hotter summers, unpredictable weather, and rising concerns around wildlife, biodiversity, and habitat loss. These pressures come from many places, including fossil fuels, transportation emissions, animal agriculture, and the sheer amount of plastic waste heading to landfill.

Sustainable living offers a way forward that feels human rather than overwhelming. It brings the focus back to what we can control. The food we eat. The products we bring into our homes. The way we generate energy and use natural resources. And how we can fight climate challenges through everyday behaviour, not grand gestures alone.

This month is about awareness, but more importantly, it is about taking initiative. It is about noticing how our habits contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and how small shifts can reduce your carbon footprint without draining your energy or your wallet.

Sustainable living starts at home and stays there

If there is one myth worth retiring, it is that sustainable living only happens outdoors or in public spaces. In reality, most of the meaningful change starts at home.

Think about energy efficiency. Something as unglamorous as adjusting your thermostat or swapping old light bulbs for energy-saving options can lower carbon emissions and save you money at the same time. Adding solar panels or choosing solar-powered solutions when you can reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports cleaner energy sources.

Water matters too. Using less water when washing clothes, choosing fixtures that conserve, and being mindful of where water flows into a waterway all play a role in protecting the ecosystem. These changes are not flashy, but they are impactful.

And then there is waste. Or more accurately, what we do with it.

Waste less, live more sustainably

Waste is where sustainable living becomes very real, very fast. Single-use items, disposable packaging, plastic straws, paper towels, and excess wrapping paper add up quickly. Most of them exist for convenience, not necessity.

Living sustainably means choosing reusable alternatives where possible. Reusable shopping bags, reusable water bottles, cloth instead of paper towels, bamboo kitchen tools, and a simple reusable straw can dramatically cut plastic waste. Ditch plastic where you can, reuse what you already have, and recycle properly rather than optimistically.

Compost food waste if you can. Even a small compost system helps reduce methane and greenhouse gases while returning nutrients to the soil. It also keeps organic matter out of landfill, where it does far more harm than good.

And when something breaks, consider repair before replacement. That mindset alone is a way to reduce consumption and lower overall emission levels without feeling like you are missing out.

Choosing better products without the guilt

One of the most empowering parts of sustainable living is learning how to look for products that align with your values. This does not mean everything must be eco-friendly, vegan, or made from recycled unicorn hair. It means being informed.

Look for products with minimal packaging. Choose recyclable or recycleable materials where possible. Support brands that use sustainably sourced materials and take responsibility for their supply chains. Choosing organic produce, especially fruits and vegetables, can help reduce pollution and support healthier soil and human health.

Be mindful of textile choices too. Fast fashion and poorly made textile products contribute heavily to pollution and habitat loss. Buying fewer items of better quality is a way to reduce your impact while building a home that feels more intentional.

At Mulbury, this philosophy is stitched into everything we do. We work with reclaimed timber, offcuts, and materials that already exist. We believe the most sustainable resource is the one that does not need to be newly extracted. It is why our workshop focuses on reuse, repair, and thoughtful design rather than constant production. It is also why our solar-powered operations matter to us beyond marketing. They reflect how we want to operate in the world.

Transportation choices that quietly make a difference

Transportation emissions are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, but you do not need to give up your car entirely to make progress.

Using public transportation when possible, carpooling with colleagues, or choosing carpool options for school runs are practical ways to cut carbon emissions. Walking or cycling instead of driving for short trips helps too. Even choosing to work from home one extra day a week can reduce transportation emissions in a meaningful way.

When we talk about living sustainably, these are the kinds of choices that compound over time. They are not dramatic. They are consistent.

Food, farming, and future generations

The food we eat shapes the planet more than most people realise. Meat consumption, particularly from intensive animal agriculture, is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and habitat loss. Choosing more plant based meals, even without going fully vegan, supports biodiversity and reduces pressure on land and water.

Reducing food waste matters just as much. Planning meals, using leftovers, and choosing edible scraps wisely helps cut emissions and respects the natural resources that went into producing that food in the first place.

These choices are not about restriction. They are about care. Care for future generations who will inherit the results of what we do now.

Community, connection, and taking action

Sustainable living is not a solo sport. February is a reminder that community matters. Whether it is attending local events, supporting ethical businesses, or choosing to volunteer with organisations that protect the ocean or provide habitat for wildlife, collective effort drives real change.

Get involved where you can. Volunteer your time. Support initiatives that focus on mitigation rather than guilt. Take action in ways that feel achievable and aligned with your life.

At Mulbury, our contribution might look small on paper. Frames. Timber. A workshop. But when you zoom out, it is about challenging the idea that everything must be new to be valuable. It is about designing products that tell a story, emit less, and respect the ecosystem they come from.

Sustainable living without the pressure

If February teaches us anything, it is that sustainable living works best when it feels doable. You do not need to overhaul your life overnight. You just need to make choices, one at a time, that move you closer to living sustainably.

Swap one habit. Repair one item. Reuse something you already own. Choose better packaging. Reduce your impact in ways that suit your lifestyle. These actions add up.

And if you ever feel like you are not doing enough, remember this. The goal is not perfection. The goal is participation. Sustainable living is not about being flawless. It is about showing up, staying curious, and doing what you can.

February is your invitation. Live more sustainably. Do it sustainably. And do it with a sense of humour, because saving the planet should not feel joyless.

Now excuse us while we go rescue another piece of timber and give it a second life.

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

To make an enquiry, please head to our Shadow Box Frame page, Custom Framing Page or Floating Frame 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

Photo Frames | Custom Framing | Floating Frames | Homeware | Contact

Get social! 💚