Built for Safety: MCA-Treated Pine & Plastic Tub Design

Our products are made from MCA-treated pine (Micronised Copper Azole)—the most modern, safe, and arsenic-free alternative to traditional treated timbers. Approved for use in high-contact areas like government schools and childcare centres, MCA-treated pine offers ultimate peace of mind while being a durable, long-lasting choice for food gardens.

As an additional layer of comfort, note that our garden bed design features a plastic tub. This ensures the potting mix is completely separated and never comes into contact with the timber. This not only provides extra peace of mind for your organic veggies but also significantly extends the lifespan of the timber frame by keeping it dry.

Because MCA-treated pine is a premium product not readily available in all retail stores, we have it custom ordered specifically for our garden beds.

The Evolution: Why We Transitioned from ACQ to MCA

For years, gardening experts have recommended moving away from older, arsenic-based treatments (like CCA) toward safer alternatives. As 'Burke’s Backyard' historically noted when ACQ first hit the market:

"Treated pine is safe to use in gardens, but if you are worried about the old-style arsenic-treated pine, the new stuff – ACQ treated pine – is arsenic-free and becoming easier to find."
Read more from Burke’s Backyard

While ACQ was a great first step, the industry has continued to evolve. We have officially transitioned to MCA (Micronised Copper Azole) because it is the next generation of timber preservation. It provides the exact same government-approved, arsenic-free safety benefits as ACQ, but with incredible modern upgrades:

• Significantly Less Seepage: Because the copper is "micronised" (ground into microscopic dust) rather than dissolved in a liquid, it stays locked in the wood cells and drastically reduces leaching into the surrounding environment.
• Lower Corrosivity: MCA is far gentler on metal fasteners, meaning screws and nails won't rust or degrade over time.
• Natural Appearance: It leaves the timber with a lighter, more natural wood colour, avoiding the heavy dark green tint of older treatments.

What the Australian Authorities Say

In Australia, all wood preservatives are strictly assessed by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), and state governments set the practical standards for what can be used in public spaces.

State Government Standards: According to guidelines from the Queensland Department of Education, Copper Azole (MCA) and ACQ are the standard, safe alternatives to older treatments because they do not contain arsenic. They are explicitly approved for timber in high-contact areas, including schools and childcare facilities.

APVMA on Vegetable Gardens: Although we choose to go above and beyond by using the modern, arsenic-free MCA treatment alongside our protective plastic tubs, it is worth noting that the APVMA still permits older CCA-treated pine for home veggie patches. As the APVMA states:

"CCA-treated timber can leach small amounts of arsenic into the soil, but plants and vegetables are not likely to take up significant amounts unless grown in highly acidic soils."
Read the full APVMA article here