Better for our planet and better for our customer’s bottom line

Ravensdown is re-introducing multi-trip one tonne and half tonne bulk bags for fertiliser supply from 1 July 2024. 

The new bags, “Better Bags”, are better for the environment and better for our customer’s bottom line.  

By eliminating half tonne and one tonne single-use bags, we’re reducing plastic waste by more than 200 tonnes annually. That’s the equivalent of taking more than 4.6 million 2 litre plastic milk bottles out of production.  

Because the new bags are reusable, each product fill will cost less too -  $35 per bag. 

Better Bags have been designed to be used up to five times and have a side discharge chute which means you can release the chute without leaning under the bag. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've made it easy for customers

We’ll take care of the recycling. All our customers need to do is return their empty bags to store in good tidy condition.  

It takes about a minute to check, shake, twist, tighten and fold a bag ready for return. To help we’ve developed the below guide that steps through the process. 

Clean and undamaged bags will go into a pool for reuse and bags returned after their final use are recycled. This means the Better Bag is a “community bag”, so you may get a different bag back to the one you used previously.  

By taking care to return bags in good tidy condition within 12 weeks of purchase customers continue to be eligible for the discounted Better Bag price of $35. All the details about who’s responsible for what are covered in our Better Bags - Terms and Conditions (ravensdown.co.nz). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAQ

Q: How much time will it take to prepare used bags for return? 

• Based on our trials, we estimate shaking, securing and folding each bag will take around 1 minute per bag.  

• Check out these handy instructions on how to do it. 

 

Q: Will store fill times be longer with Better Bags? 

• No. Filling times will be the same. 

 

Q: What if I want to keep my bag? 

• If you don’t return bags, or return them in unusable condition, you will be ineligible for the Better Bag fill price ($35) and charged $50 per bag and fill. 

 

Q: Will I ‘own’ my Better Bag? 

• No. Better Bags are community bags. Upon return, bags go into a pool of bags which are used for all customers.  

• You may get a different bag to the one you return. 

 

Q: Will the bags be as durable and reliable as the bags you’ve used until now?  

• Yes, we’re going to retire Better Bags after five uses.  

• Tests show they’ll likely stand up even longer than five uses if they’re kept out of the sun and not damaged.  

 

Q: Is it possible to request a fresh bag for a one-off order? 

• Yes, but you’ll need to make this request for a fresh bag at the time of placing your order. To continue receiving the Better Bag price ($35), you will need to return these bags in an acceptable condition for re-use. 

 

Q: If I request a fresh bag, will I still be eligible for the Better Bag price of $35. 

• Yes, so long as you return the bags in the required condition after use. 

 

Q: How does Ravensdown know how many times a bag has been used? 

• Each time we fill a bag we will write the customer’s name in a boxed section on the side of the bag. 

• When you return a bag to Ravensdown, we will be responsible for blacking out your name before the bag is reused.   

• Bags returned after the fifth fill will be recycled. 

 

Q: What happens if I don’t return my Better Bag, or I return the bag in unsatisfactory condition? 

• To be eligible for the Better Bag price ($35) you need to adhere to the terms & conditions which includes returning bags in good tidy condition. 

• If you do not adhere to the terms and conditions you may be charged the full list price of $50 per bag with fill. 

 

Q: Who is responsible for checking returned bags? 

• Customers are responsible for returning bags in good tidy condition. 

• Ravensdown store staff will be responsible for making a final check that bags are suitable for re-use prior to bagging. 

 

Q: Can bags be returned to consignment stores? 

• Consignment stores that bag product will use Better Bags and accept bag returns. 

• To help make bag returns accessible for customers, we will also install Better Bag drop-off bins at selected consignment stores (see list below).  

• Please talk to the team at your local consignment store to understand how bag returns will be managed.  

North Island

• Te Teko – Te Puke 

• Pio Pio – New Plymouth  

• Okato and Auroa – New Plymouth 

South Island

• Takaka – Nelson 

• Culverden and Cheviot – Amberley or Hornby Works 

• Mayfield – Seadown 

• Luggate – Seadown 

• Kurow – Seadown 

• Mossburn – Winton 

• Edendale – Winton   

 

Q: Will I need additional storage space on farm for bags? 

• It depends on how many bags you use and how often you return them to a Ravensdown location.  

• If you use a lot of bags, we may be able to assist with storage solutions. Please talk to your service person about available options. 

 

• Q: What happens to small bags (20kg)? 

• Small bags cannot be reused. They are recycled by placing them in an approved AgRecovery liner. These are available free of charge by calling 0800 247 326 or emailing info@agrecovery.org.nz.  

• Filled liners can be returned to Farmlands, Farm Source and PGG Wrightson. 

 

Q: Will premium and cropping products be sold in fresh bags? 

• Yes, if you request it at the time you place your order. Otherwise the order may be filled using a previously used (but clean) bag. 

 

Q: What are you doing with existing single-use bags? 

• We will continue to use single-use bags until our stock runs out. But from 1 July, if you receive your order in a single-trip bag, you will still pay the cheaper Better Bag price of $35. Please return these single use bags for recycling. 

 

Q: Will product quality be compromised by reusing bags (i.e. due to product contamination)? 

• Our testing shows that there is very little contamination and no impact on the quality of the product customers receive.   

• To help ensure there is no impact on product quality, we’re asking our customers to return the bags in the same condition they would like them to be in for their own orders.  

 Health and Safety 

 Q: Are there any Health and Safety risks to be aware of? 

• The Better Bag has a slightly different design where the discharge chute is located to the side of the bag for improved usability and ease of access. This means you can release the chute without leaning under the bag. 

• A Ravensdown working group comprising Works and Stores tested and assessed this change. 

 

Q: Are there any health risks associated with using bags when previous content is unknown?  

• All bags will be clean and empty before they are refilled with product.  

• As with any product handling situation, we strongly advise that the appropriate PPE is used and safe handling procedures are followed.  

 

Q: How does Ravensdown determine if a bag is safe to be used again or not? 

• Bags are removed from circulation after five uses. This is tracked by the number of times the table on the side of the bag is filled in.  

• The final decision to determine if a bag is safe for use is made by the staff member filling the bag.  

• If unsure about whether a bag can be reused safely, it will be put into recycling, or into the skip for landfill (if excessively soiled). 

Organic farmers 

Q: We’re an organic farm and nutrient types can affect our organic certification. How will we know if reused bags contain contaminants? 

• Bags are shaken out prior to reuse.  

• Our tests show that whatever product was in a bag prior to a bag refill will be less than 0.004% of the total amount (or new product).   

• If you are concerned, you may request a new bag at the time of ordering. As long as you return the bag in an acceptable condition within 12 weeks you will remain eligible for the Better Bag price.