ARENA SURFACES
Who runs this?
Kiwi Entrepreneur | Rachael Macdonald | Mum | Horse Breeder | Trainer | Wanganui
I was already part of the horse industry with my business Nitro Equine, where I have been breeding and producing competition ponies and sport horses since 2013.
My journey on this venture began late 2020 when I needed a top-up for my own home arena. Google search results showed very few options within my budget, essentially the options were at best - average. Sand or another start up business with slick marketing was trending so I decided to give it a go, I ordered and spread on my arena. It was lovely at first, but after 3 months it had flattened out and within 6 months it was completely broken down and separated. That left me disappointed.
So back to Google I went, looking and researching what materials were being used overseas. After 18 months of reading, exploring, note-taking, enquiring with retailers, professional yards, businesses, suppliers and manufacturers. I had written 110 pages with over 25,000 words, I felt like I had done a thesis on Arena Surfaces!
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I ordered samples of what I could then setup 5 small trial areas in a corner of my arena - outside in the elements to test out the samples, I blended products, made up concoctions, and continue to work towards new ideas and solutions myself, and with our partners.
Sustainability was a big focus for me and definitely on my mind when considering products. So I incorporated ranges dedicated to eco-friendly, sustainable, recycled options as well as partnering and promoting other eco-conscious businesses, their relative products, and services.
I have worked hard on choosing environmentally friendly packaging, safe disposal, and recycling all we can back into usable materials and products, including what is consumed in our own operations. I'm ensuring as a business we are actively 'doing our bit' for the environment.
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Now I’ve secured products under our ranges - surfaces, arena additives, services, animal health, stable bedding, stable & arena fixtures, arena related services, consultations, an ever growing database of experienced contractors and I have partnered with like-minded, knowledgeable people and their businesses.
Ready for business. Welcome.
Make one choice,
Make a BIG difference.
Divert as much as possible into usable resources
Minimizing the residual waste sent to landfill.
Design out waste and pollution.
Keep products and materials in use.
Regenerate natural systems.
OUR BUSINESS VALUES
PACKAGING
Whilst it is early days for this business; we are acutely aware of the impact packaging has on the environment. So we are in discussions with our suppliers about natural jute, paper, recycled sacks & bulk bags for our different product ranges.
It seems every track we take there is a positive and negative action, so it's a matter of weighing up the best course to take. It's not just about being viable but when starting out, it certainly does affect your decision-making. So to start with, we will re-use the bulk bags that our products arrive and go out in. We will strive to minimalize and steer away from single use packaging.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN ACTION
In this day and age everyone is aware of the impact our actions have on the environment, with this in mind we have come up with a product range that supports recycling. Collaborating with local & nationwide businesses diverting by-products destined for landfill and re-purposing into usable resources, this is circular economy in action.
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Another policy is in our purchasing, we have bought second-hand equipment to service our needs, so luckily we have a very handy man who is competent in all things that need fixing. So we will be repairing before taking the step to buy new. Let's just say 'things don't last like they used to'.
THINKING ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY
Mining our land, rivers, and seabed is detrimental to the environment. Traditionally mainly sand has been used to service the need until now. While sand is still an important component, adding surface products will cushion and protect, offer less wear and tear on equipment and prolong the life of your sand. Converting to synthetic products which last many more years than sand will mean less mining attributed to the equestrian industry.
We offer a range dedicated to eco-friendly and sustainable options for your arena. 100% natural biodegradable materials, we are currently exploring a UV protective additive to slow the degradation process.
By purchasing our arena cleaner and offering the only service in New Zealand to clean arena sand - this means we can help you to maintain your arena and keep it cared for by offering sound advice on maintaining your investment; with purpose built grooming equipment, optimum irrigation, routine maintenance scheduling you can keep your surface at its best, extend it's life and means you wont have to replace your surface as quickly as you would if doing the bare minimum in maintenance.
STRIVING FOR ZERO WASTE FROM OUR OWN OPERATIONS
Our policies and procedures reflect our ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices. 90% of our packaging is recycled or recyclable. This is a shared view we have with most of our suppliers and partners.
Clients have the following options for disposing of our packaging.
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Plasback - Recycling Used Farm Plastics. For our rural clients who have on-farm plasback bin can recycle their bulk bags. (most eco-conscious farmers utilize this service)
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AgRecovery - Rural Recycling Programme. Find a drop off site closest to you.
Our Take-Back Scheme - send your clean and undamaged bulk bags back to us via your nearest Mainfreight depot (at our cost). We either return those bags to our suppliers for reuse, refill with our custom-made arena blends or dispose of in an environmentally approved way.
MINIMIZING OUR PRODUCTS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
We are exploring and trialing solutions for filtering arena runoff at drainage points to intercept products going into waterways.
Cost-effective, straightforward ways to catch, save and return precious surface to your arena.
We will, through blogs and posts provide clever ideas and simple solutions for containing your surface from the elements such as horse safe planting, fencing, barriers and dust reduction..
We are also looking for ways of screening surfaces from manure picked up in the arena so you can safely compost or return to the land.
WHY CHOOSE US
NZ Owned and Operated.
Plus NZ produced products are chosen first and foremost.
We are committed to striving toward a world where we put waste to work.
We listen, offer advice and make a plan with you, for you.
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Our business is inclusive of all discipines in equestrian sports.
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Private Use
Pony Clubs
Commercial Operations
We reject the idea of
throw-away, single use or limited life products.
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From start-up, we made the decision to source recycled and repurposed materials.​
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We agree sustainability needs to be at the forefront of all business decision-making.​​
We operate with integrity; we won't sell you a one product solves all.​
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Products we offer are chosen for their innovation, quality and long term durability.
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We support local in our regions, as priority.​​​
Providing ranges for entry-level to professional riders.
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