People tell me to be happy about my property values increasing but I plan on living in this home for several more years and these homes are popping up all around me. It performs well in heavy foot traffic, while closely mirroring the look and feel of natural grass. Laying aside the high cost of installation, there are some real benefits to having an artificial grass lawn instead of a natural grass lawn. The toxins in artificial turf threaten our health via contact, consumption (via water), and inhalation. Different plastic types have different methods of being recycled. As the plastics used in fake grass have been bonded together, they cannot be separated and made pure. . Having to do so much work beats the idea of investing in artificial grass, especially because the promise of minimal maintenance is without doubt, one of the reasons why you made the decision to buy artificial grass. I probably cut my small patch of grass with an electric lawn mower once a month during the summer. It can cause obvious loss of yarn, whereby the fibers become detached from the backing. I actually feel lawns as a concept are overrated in general and I dont understand why people insist on having them when often they dont use them. Artificial sweeteners are often the topic of heated debate. If you get good resistance, and no shedding, your product is solid. Perhaps it's sensual the rough, knowledgeable texture of tree bark, the intoxicating scent of nature's . Last updated on Wednesday, April 13 @ 1:18 pm by Tyler Trowbridge, Bella Turf, B.C. A number of studies have measured high temperatures on artificial turf, some as high as 160F. The Royal Borough of Kensington, no less have just laid fake grass in The Little Wormwood Scrubs for young children and toddlers to play on! These materials are built to last, potentially for centuries. Manufactures state that fake grass doesnt need to be trimmed, cut or generally maintained which saves on petrol lawn mower use. This includes brushing, washing and quite often, hoovering! Yes, a travesty for wildlife no more worms for birds to eat, no soil for life to live in. . Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Good husbandry goes a long way in small gardens The Watch House, Broadstairs, Collecting seeds from Leonotis nepetifolia, Sissinghurst & Monks House intertwined lives endure in the gardens. A lot of people just arent interested they dont have time in their busy lives.. Like it or not pieces of plastic lawn break down and contaminate our soils for centuries regardless of being recycled. Artificial grass does not get as hot as natural grass and does not contain as many weeds or parasites. While also allowing vegetation and plants to grow nearby providing shade for other surrounding plants and trees. In contrast, the blades of artificial turf dont grow. The low price might be attractive, but it will cost you more in the long run. Artificial Grass: Drawbacks. Its not to say fake grass cannot be sustainable in the future. Ive heard buffalo grass may work and black wood chips look interesting. You dont want children falling off a swing onto fake grass. In the worst cases you do get run off. A sign advertising artificial turf in Cathedral City, California. One of the main dangers of artificial grass is that it's bad for the environment. Diamond blades ' silky smooth texture gently hugs feet, while its natural green aesthetic accurately recreates the look of living grass. And that makes sense when you think about it. Artificial grass has surged in popularity over the last couple of years. Low-Maintenance [Saves Time & Money] Artificial grass maintenance can save you both time and money. There are many reasons why the artificial grass industry keeps growing year over year! Man-made synthetic fibers are used to create an artificial grass that mimics the appearance of natural grass. When it comes to artificial grass, there are a lot of misconceptions about how much water it requires to stay green and healthy. Thats a great question. Im guessing you may be thinking urgh I dont want those on my lawn! but you wont see most of these most of the time though I would encourage you to try and see the benefit and beauty of these little lives. Early Artificial Turf: Ankle Sprains, Concussions and Major Knee Injuries. . Soil is a natural carbon store, especially with plants growing on it, slowly taking carbon from the atmosphere and putting it back into the plants and the ground (why people want to plant more trees which is a problematic view in itself but a whole other discussion!) I needed more than just my gut to change his mind. If this sounds like too much hard work, hire a professional lawn care gardener. This starts at the beginning of the process, with the careful selection of the raw materials that are used to produce the grass blades.. But I dont think that for all but specialised purposes that it really compares with [real] grass. Would it be more environmentally friendly to rip up the fake grass to be replaced with a natural lawn, or should I wait until the fake grass is beyond its life? Even a perfectly kept lawn with no weeds has a base layer of wildlife value because its a good home to millions of soil dwelling critters, most so microscopic we cant see them. If people do want to give their lawn a lift, organic versions of fertilisers are plentiful and there are always natural remedies to keep pests at bay. For example, planting bird and bee-friendly plants. The plastic pieces are going to be there forever making it impossible for them to decompose. The blades are then coated with a protective chemical to help them to last for as long as possible. Worms, grubs and grass eating caterpillars, slugs and snails all feed birds too. Synthetic grass is a mixture of multiple types of plastics. All the original houses (that were similar to mine) are coming down one by one and being replaced by huge white modern box-like houses. My aim with this blog is to present the facts for you to make an informed decision on whether artificial grass is bad for the environment or not. I support responsible tree planting and carbon reduction projects across the world. This is all true. Unlike the grass itself, the market is growing. Sealants are another important component of installing artificial grass. Why We Don't Recommend Artificial Grass for Most People. This makes artificial turf a very poor choice when compared with natural grass since natural grass allows some amount of soil regeneration under its surface. With products named after beautiful places Lake District, Valencia modern artificial turf mimics not just the mottled colouring and shape of grass blades, but the warm springiness of earth. Elevate Your Lifestyle Hot sun, sweat dripping down your neck, and half dead grass is something you no longer have to worry about on Saturday morning. One of the petrochemical sources that is separated off is used to produce plastics. Natural grass. There are several environmental concerns associated with artificial turf including loss of wildlife habitat, contaminated runoff and migration of synthetic materials. For many people, he says, there is a social pressure to keep up with the Joneses by having a perfectly trimmed, green lawn all year round. As the turf degrades over time, larger quantities of chemicals are released. Theyre used to protect the turf from UV rays and other environmental factors that can degrade the turf over time. Weed Growth. These fibers are often comprised of polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon, and are sewed onto a backing similar to how carpet is created. Another reasons some shy away from using artificial grass is that a sharp increase in temperature can cause the rubbers to drastically heat up when it's hot outside, making it difficult for some athletes to play as they face quicker fatigue and hydration issues. In fact, in accessible gardens Ive designed we simply havent bothered with large lawns, instead having a good easily manageable flat lawn and then offering plenty of paths through larger plantings to touch and sit within. I learned a lot while reading it. Thank you for sharing this. I aim to share my passion and growing knowledge with you. First, the materials are often bound together making it impossible to separate them and therefore making it impossible to recycle, because recycling of the materials requires them to be separated and pure. We have a south facing garden and it would burn our feet on sunny days..y oh is a landscape gardener too and first oppertu ity weve had we ripped it up and laid areal lawn. Artificial grass is also stain-resistant, so you don't . Over the past 50 years, artificial turf has become increasingly popular as an alternative to natural grass in many sports facilities around the world. Why is Fake Grass Bad For the Environment? This will result in a pile that progressively thins over time. Not only this but real grass also protects the soil underneath. There's something about the great outdoors that features heavily in childhood memories, regardless of generation. This then needs to be manufactured and transported. Instead, call Artificial Grass Pros. This always points to poor quality synthetic grass. Microplastics, which are less than 5mm in size, are not good for the environment at all. Frog fruit is native to this area and its so resilient and can be walked, or laid on and even cut from time to time. I trained at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and have designed over 70 gardens from country estates to town plots. And in the summertime, very hot; they had to water it down to be able to have August practices when I was in college. Some people may not immediately care for microorganisms and all these microscopic creatures that we cannot see. Good work. Unlike a real lawn, fake grass doesnt need to be mowed which some people do with electric or fossil fuel mowers or watered, which is a serious consideration as the UK anticipates increasing water stress due to the climate crisis. Because the artificial grass fibers are so tightly woven together, there is no space for weeds to grow through it. Early versions of artificial turf were basically green sandpaper on concrete. In short, yes, artificial grass is bad for wildlife. I could go into great detail about why soil life is important because its the building blocks of our entire way of life; a simple example is birds picking out bugs and worms for food. This may sound really silly if youre thinking of installing plastic grass, escaping a natural surface is probably one of the reasons you want it in the first place, but I urge you to think again. Artificial turf does not attract insects or rodents, so there is no need to spray for bugs or use traps for mice and rats. Hello Im currently sitting in my backyard listening to the sounds of machinery ripping up the ground nextdoor to begin the process of laying fake grass. Yes, a 1000 square foot lawn will be over $25K. Plus, the NewGrass product line is hard to beat. Grass comes in many forms, from tidy, to uncouth; the less couth, the better. Artificial grass is a terrific low-maintenance option for pet owners; gone are the days of spending hours applying lotions and potions to damaged grass spots and planting grass seeds to cover them. Research shows that, because artificial turf means no more mowing the lawn, people can spend more time tending to the features of the garden that are more beneficial to the birds than grass is. Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), says there is a place for artificial turf as an alternative to paving slabs, gravel and particularly concrete, which is its own environmental nightmare. It holds the water like a sponge and this creates an ideal environment for mosquitoes to breed, thus increasing the risk of malaria. The plastic pieces are going to be there forever making it impossible for them to decompose. Heres how you can reduce the environmental impact of using artificial turf. If you read point 2 of the article it explains this. As a result, artificial grass maintains its green colour throughout the year while natural grass may turn brown in the presence of excessive sunlight. The top layer of soil is removed to put down a base of hardcore and sand, transported in, releasing exhaust gasses. [All You Need To Know], Your Guide To Energy Efficient Fridge Freezers [Plus Best Models 2022], Almost all artificial grass is not recyclable, Damage the soil and below ground ecosystems, Its likely to release microplastics into the environment, Removing real grass and the top layer of soil releases stored carbon dioxide into the environment, Covering the area with plastic means it completely stops absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Due to the materials it is made from, artificial grass stays pest-free. The blades of grass on a natural grass field continue to grow even when they are mowed. this can be slower and less effective than real grass due to the ground below needing compaction to make it solid and flat. The only thing it might do on the odd occasion is trap organic matter than something else may be able to feed off. According to studies, 50% of rainfall runs straight off artificial lawns and can lead to overflowing drains and flooding. Equivalent to the amount of plastic in over 24,000 plastic straws for even a small piece of fake grass. Artificial grass manufacturers often state that their product will benefit the environment. However after reading all the points mentioned in your report am now thinking of other options. Instead, the consumer will have to make arrangements and pay for the fake grass to be transported to another country, such as the Netherlands, who do have the means to recycle it. If you're using fake turf as your pet's potty or dog run, bad smells seem inevitable. Netherlands v Sweden, Fifa Womens World Cup 2019 semi-final at Stade de Lyon, France. The front yard has two huge mahogany trees that shade the entire area so we put mulch paths and pavers leading to the back yard. In particular, artificial grass that is designed specifically for dogs will contain wider drainage pores than normal artificial grass, allowing . The average cost to install artificial grass . If you are interested in me transforming your garden please get in touch. Wild about Weeds Photograph Competition 2020 winners! The synthetic grass fibers are made from plastic or nylon. You would be hard-pressed to say that you have created a product which doesnt shed anything, says Berg. Its a large front lawn. As seem to weed up from wind blown seeds. A lawn is really easy to look after it just takes a bit of regular care. A well planned large planting area can be less maintenance than a lawn. A lawn with daisies and other flowering weeds go up in wildlife value ten-fold. You cant recycle plastics with contaminants in like soil and grit, which is why were supposed to rinse plastic before putting in the recycling bin. Both artificial grassand a real grass lawn have their upsides, but for some individuals artificial grass may provide enough benefits to be worth considering. By killing weeds and insects, they also kill the animals that eat those plants and insects. The only possible way that wildlife may be indirectly helped is if off-setting measures are put in place, such as planting nearby trees, adding pots and planters into the garden. There isnt any need for a fake lawn, which is actually far harder a surface than natural bark chip. We completely rely on soil and the biodiversity it contains for all of our vegetables, fruits, grains, cereals, dairy and meat. I have lived in my home Miami for over 16 years and in the past 5 years my little neighborhood has changed so much. Problem # 4: Foul Odor. 7) Plastic deprives people from contact with a natural surface This may sound really silly if you're thinking of installing plastic grass, escaping a natural surface is probably one of the reasons you want it in the first place, but I urge you to think again. Artificial turf is designed with a special backing that helps it absorb water and release it back into the air. Eco Concrete: What Are The Greener Alternatives To Concrete? Very hard. Artificial turf can become much hotter than natural grass on a warm day. Looking at one product, fake grass weighs around 1.42kg/metre. Artificial grass is not susceptible to lawn diseases like natural lawns are. Foam underlayment creates a soft ground for children. Low maintenance, not NO maintenance. Office For example, polystyrene cant be recycled at the same facility as other plastics. Gravel and paving may be practical, but only Artificial Grass Direct gives you the perfect lawn - an easy-care surface with the softness, bounce and colour of real grass! Artificial grass is evil. 600 Orwell St, Unit 5&6 Another significant difference between natural grass and artificial grass is the level of care and maintenance they both require. It would require around 10,000 litres of water to make that plastic. From my research it seems clear to me that artificial grass is bad for the environment. In the manufacturing process, the edges of the artificial grass go through a roller system. The community fought off their plans to lay an entire football pitch with fake grass in St Marks Park in recent-years. I'm an RHS qualified landscape designer specialising in beautiful gardens with structured naturalistic planting. The initial cost of installing is high compared to laying sod in your lawn. If it really were too shaded, I would just design in something else, such as woodland planting, not persevere with a fake lawn. Why artificial turf is bad? As the turf degrades over time, larger quantities of chemicals are released. In addition to the trees and plants in my back yard I also have an area where I grow food during the growing season. I very much doubt this will use more energy than it costs to extract the petroleum and create plasticeven over 20 years. That being said, a highly manicured, pristine lawn is often devoid of a lot of life too thanks to weedkillers and fertilisers. The problem with using rubber as a base material for synthetic turf is that it contains toxic chemicals such as lead and zinc, which can leach into the soil and eventually contaminate groundwater. If you have a dead, desolate stretch of property that's so hideous you can hardly stand to look at it, smothering it in rolls of fake . It is a fact that no research has been done on artificial grass and its impact on the environment. It is used in place of natural grass on athletic fields, playgrounds, and other outdoor areas. Water can unlevel some parts of the artificial lawn. Obviously we have to be realistic because with too much shade, lawns really arent possible but there are shade tolerant grasses that can be used. So, to be balanced about it, I wouldnt say it pollutes in such a way that chemicals would that immediately wash into water. Instagram: @jackwallingtonnature, COPYRIGHT JACK WALLINGTON GARDEN DESIGN LTD. 2021. Here are some of the reasons why artificial grass is beneficial for the environment: The fibers in artificial turf are designed to absorb water and then release it back into the air. When worn-out synthetic turf is replaced, the old pieces will likely end up in landfills, and that can lead to toxic water runoff. I never design gardens with fake grass for aesthetic, experiential and environmental reasons. This come about in the 1980s when there was a mild boom in installations the US, UK and Europe. I was considering fake grass as both my wife and I have rheumatoid arthritis. That lasts only a few months and doesnt seem much better than plastic. Tiny Eco Home Life is a climate positive website. Your pets may not be exposed to any harmful chemicals. A previous owner of my house saw fit to cement the whole of the backyard except for a few garden beds. But while the fake grass might indeed be greener, at least in colour, its environmental impacts are difficult to gloss over. The easiest way to test for this is simple. I was considering it because our governor has told us not to water our lawns to conserve water and ours is now dead. They put it down last week. Yarn Loss. Some products are made from just one material which means at least, theoretically they can be recycled. Hi Jack, Artificial grass is made of plastic which will never decompose and this means that it will remain in the ground forever. Hard landscaping can be very expensive, and people fancy a bit of green in a small garden. I know there are some, probably many, households who like to keep their grass to the same standards as the Wembley turf, which requires a lot of watering, but how many average households water their grass? The good news is that there are now many drought-tolerant artificial grass products on the market today that require minimal watering throughout the year. But this isnt the flaky, fading stuff on which oranges were once displayed at the greengrocer. mega blades ' cutting edge design strikes the ideal balance between softness and durability. Do you have any suggestions as to what I might put under the gazebo instead of astro turf? Why fake grass is bad? Most are putting in fake grass. There wasnt a clear-cut answer initially, so I decided to do some research, resulting in this blog post. This is little different to impermeable hard landscaping like patios but a really important point if youre considering replacing a living lawn with a fake lawn. Some of my favourite childhood memories are sitting on a soft lawn, hands on the grass, plucking a blade of grass to whistle with, or a daisy or dandelion flower, or a plantain leaf. Occasionally they contribute to direct flooding too, especially in paved front gardens. Then you have to factor the carbon released from transporting these heavy rolls by lorry from the manufacturing plant to the customer, probably being first transported to a storage facility. #107 19347 24 Ave UK sales surged during last years record summer temperatures, according to the industry journal Hortweek, while a report by Up Market Research valued the global market at $2.5bn (2bn) in 2016 and forecasts a staggering rise to $5.8bn by 2023. We recommend you use a leaf blower or a stiff brush to clear leaves and debris from your lawn. There is also the matter of microplastics: the tiny particles of plastic that have made their way throughout the globe, and are present in our food, water and even the air. It stands up to heavy use. Astro turf is made from a variety of human made unnatural materials including polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon. Jack. While synthetic grass may look and feel like the real thing some simply can't get past the fact that it's plastic. The toxins in artificial turf threaten our health via contact, consumption (via water), and inhalation. Basically due to my ageing years and the maintenance involved. Some manufacturers have created more eco-friendly versions where the fake grass is made from recycled materials, but this is currently very rare. My plan was to lay down some fake grass under a gazebo and use pots and raised garden beds all around it to keep it in place. It cant be relaid or reseeded; it has to be rolled up, lifted and sent to landfill.. Artificial grass, astroturf, fake grass and synthetic grass are all a type of plastic-based matting used as a flooring material in the garden or at home.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Originating in the 1960s, artificial grass was invented as a low-maintenance replacement for real grass and garden lawn. Why you shouldn't use fake grass? Twitter: @jackwallington As an unnatural surface that doesnt recycle germs, dirt and other debris as a natural lawn would, you need to clean it. The rains here in Miami during the summer months can be torrential at times and this compounds my concerns for run off. One of the biggest benefits of using artificial grass is its low maintenance. There are also growing concerns about the impact of the synthetic chemicals that are added to artificial grass on human health and the environment. But it such a shame your neighbours are adding it to their own garden. Experts note that high temperatures may lead to potentially life-threatening heat-related illnesses for users, especially athletes. I'm passionate about the environment, creating a positive impact and inspiring eco friendly living. If plastic is still being used, then it will have to be the same type of plastic so that it can be handled efficiently and the whole sheet can be recycled as one. The Committee on Climate Change recommends rewilding a huge area of UK land and growing many more trees to help tackle global heating by storing carbon. While these are different products to those sold to home gardeners, Berg says artificial pitches are sometimes reused for landscaping. Some loss is expected, but it should not be severe. Next, notice if the product has excessive yarn loss. This way, you wont have to use any weed killers that are considered damaging to the environment. But lawns can also be maintained without those negative practices and products, and the soil loss problem is real: the RHS Greening Grey Britain survey has found a threefold rise in the number of front gardens that have been paved over. Hopefully one day it can be recycled as we need the existing lawns to be recycled, but that doesnt account for the remaining 14 points. When worn-out synthetic turf is replaced, the old pieces will likely end up in landfills, and that can lead to toxic water runoff. Easy to maintain, and it spreads like a little green carpet that is great to walk on. A metre squared section of fake grass can weigh around 2kg. Not all of them are environmentally friendly. I guess I will research a good gardener in the area as the last one I had was not great. Perhaps aware of another kind of social pressure, some firms pitch their products as eco-friendly alternatives. It's made from environmentally unfriendly materials and in addition as an alternative to actual grass isn't really compatible with things like insects and other plants can't that'd otherwise live there, which is bad for biodiversity. The average home saves over 50 gallons of water per year for every square foot of artificial grass installed. Not only does it not provide any of the environmental benefits of grass like soaking up moisture, home for insects, feeding birds, self-sustaining its life isnt that long. This may depend on the size of your lawn and, if you have a petrol-powered mower, how much of this you go through. from electricity production). Fake grass can cause flooding Artificial grass has been found to exhibit increased runoff of water compared to living lawns. Whenever I see artificial grass my heart sinks more nature smothered by more plastic. At the moment its not recyclable and it doesnt look like it will be any time soon. Yes, your required mowings will go from 40 per year to 0. Even if recycling becomes a thing in future, all of the processes and resources of creating, transporting and recycling and recreating an artificial lawn is awful for the environment compared to the alternatives. Artificial turf has been in use for over 40 years. A properly installed artificial lawn is more like your paver patio than your traditional lawn. Improper installation is the most common culprit for holes and tears in your turf. Thank you for explaining fake grass. By creating a dense plastic barrier on top of compacted soil and sand, no garden material can reach the soil beneath it. Artificial grass is material that is made of synthetic, man-made fibers that look like real grass. Nature, wildflowers and insect species are all going through huge declines in the UK due to human practices. Whether or not to get artificial grass has been a recent debate in my home. All synthetic plastic that goes on to make the likes of plastic bags and polystyrene comes from the extraction of raw materials, such as crude oil, which is distilled and separated in an oil refinery into various petrochemicals. When I moved here there was a miserable lawn, full of weeds and dirt patches. Artificial turf is a manmade surface composed of synthetic fibers. PE doesnt contain any toxic chemicals, so it wont leach into the soil or contaminate groundwater or air quality around your synthetic turf field. Care and maintenance:-. Todays artificial grass is a much better quality than in past years; Bella Turf offers. The best sealants for synthetic turf are water-based, which means they dont release harmful gases into the air when they dry out. In private gardens, however, the opposite trend is happening: British gardens are being dug up and replaced with plastic grass. I dont believe that selling this product is consistent with their environmental credentials and asked him to review this. Usually, it stops growing in the fall. 1. Once the astro turf is in place, thats it, that whole area stops locking carbon from the atmosphere. Natural grass requires a lot of time and hard work to keep it looking good and fresh. 13 tips to help allotment newbies by an allotment newbie! Almost everyone around has let their lawns dry up. The best we can do is to minimize its environmental impact by making conscious decisions. Speaking to Express.co.uk, The Grass People said: "50 percent. This is not just to the detriment of wildlife but to us, too; children cant make a daisy-chain on a plastic lawn., Follow Guardian Cities on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to join the discussion, catch up on our best stories or sign up for our weekly newsletter, Sign up for the Cityscape: the best of Guardian Cities every week, US cities losing 36 million trees a year, researchers find, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Artificial grass is the perfect solution for everyone, and TurFresh's turf cleaning products and services will make your life easier than ever before. These chemicals can also be released into the atmosphere during installation and maintenance of artificial turf fields. Although water can drain through fake lawns (at least if laid well it should!) In short, yes, artificial grass is bad for wildlife. Thank you I wont be heaving it after reading your blog. And lets not forgetting about the life that lives underground in the soil. There are fewer yearly costs related to yard care, as artificial grass does not require mowing, seeding, fertilizing, or watering. The environmental benefits pushed by artificial grass producers dont hold up for the average patch of garden grass in a UK household. For the cost of a fake lawn you could hire someone for well over five years, longer than it will take for a fake lawn to look worn out and grubby. That sense of touch and the smell of mown grass is such an important part of my life experience and remains so today. Obviously this is going to be better than impermeable patios but its not an either or game, we need to be aware of these issues and choose other options that dont cause run off (and other damage to the environment listed above). The adhesive used in installing artificial grass plays a big role in determining its longevity and performance over time. There are some environmental benefits to using artificial grass. Organic grass has a life cycle. The plastic used in the production of artificial grass is usually petroleum-based, which means that they are contributing to air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. And I am not a professional gardener, just a happy homeowner trying to do my part for the environment. Artificial grass is never toxic Another advantage of synthetic turf over the real one is it will never be toxic. The Plantlife charity found a lawn kept to around 10cm or thereabouts has even more weedy wildflowers and supports thousands more bees, hoverflies and other pollinators. It doesn't require watering, fertilizing, or mowing. Some astro turf will have worms beneath but this will be under a new laying or toward the edges where soil is richer from nearby planting. Soil is host to a whole world of microrganisms and biodiversity. Artificial grass is largely made from brand-new, fossil fuel-based plastics and is not recycled when its no longer needed. Artificial turf, often known as artificial grass, is a form of grass that is produced from nonnatural, man-made fibers. At the time of writing, the number of specialist recycling plants is to my knowledge minimal if non-existent in the UK (please get in touch to correct me and Ill update this this information comes direct from a fake grass installer) and that doesnt even account for people organising to send it off. 905-276-7333, Alberta Office Why Artificial Grass? the most realistic looking artificial grass lawns, artificial grass may provide enough benefits to be worth considering, Best Artificial Grass 5 Year Award Winner, Artificial Grass Installation Base Compaction, Get A Cleaner Perimeter Edge On Your Artificial Grass Installation, Create A Low Maintenance & High Activity Backyard, Can absorb heat in high summer temperatures, Can increase the value of a home when used in a well-designed landscape, With cheaper brands, turf sometimes doesnt feel like, Resists stains from salt water and chlorinated pools, Could experience fading if placed near windows. With ever-rising concerns about global warming and outrageous water costs, artificial grass is an excellent option for all of your commercial projects. Expect to pay $25-$35 a square foot. With artificial grass, this is now your reality. The EU has been investigating specialist artificial turf used on sports fields for suspected carcinogens, and is considering banning intentionally added microplastics. This is a particular concern in view of the dramatic global decline in insect species. Where once we were famed for our lawns, we now opt for artificial, low-maintenance solutions. Why artificial turf may truly be bad for kids Published: March 5, 2017 9.18pm EST Updated: March 23, 2017 10.21am EDT Stuart Shalat , Georgia State University More >> Swapping this natural element of a garden can make sense for stopping mud or saving time, but it deprives people of something much bigger and much more valuable one of the main contacts with nature, especially important in urban areas. Artificial Grass has been carefully developed over the years to be superior to real grass lawn, and if you can afford the luxury of artificial grass, it is definitely worth considering. I dont mean to make people feel bad for choosing astro turf Im non judgemental about it but its important people understand exactly why its bad for the environment and not great for us, then were informed for future decisions. It blocks access to the soil beneath for burrowing insects, such as solitary bees, and the ground above for soil dwellers such as worms, which will be starved of food beneath it, he says. Some homeowners associations and city municipalities have a ban on fake grass. This is a fantastic article about horrible plastic grass. When synthetic turf is replaced, the old pieces will likely end up in a landfill, which can lead to toxic water pollution. Even in a cold winter environment. Paul Hetherington, fundraising director for the charity Buglife, says artificial turf is far from an eco-friendly alternative to natural grass. But if you do use the lawn, and there are good examples such as for children, sunbathing, sports and picnics, all it takes is getting the lawn care regime right. Where does the truth lie?if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_7',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-115{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:0!important;margin-right:0!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Artificial grass, sometimes dismissively called fake grass, has a bad reputation. Real grass is a natural, living organism, which plays a large roll in local ecosystems both above and below ground. Grass and . As you know, using fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas and coal is detrimental to the local physical environment, the wildlife in it and to our atmosphere. But of course, sports stadium owners want to keep the field green as long as possible. Lets face it, artificial grass is too convenient of an innovation it simply isnt going away anytime soon. The Infill Gets Sucked Up Infill is spread between the artificial grass blades and offers many benefits including keeping the blades in an upright position, protecting the backing layer and adding to the natural look and feel of the grass. Hi Roz, The toxins in artificial turf can cause health problems. Dirt . I thought astro turf was better because it would save water in the dry summers. https://bellaturf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bt-logo-01.svg, https://bellaturf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/playground-grass-artificial-turf-for-kids-and-pets-bella-turf-grass-_0000_turf-cloud-3.jpg, water companies often ban tradiational watering of home lawns. They are not living plants, so they cant be damaged by insects or disease. It does not require the use of potentially harmful fertilisers or herbicides. Lawns can never be overgrown or develop brown spots. There are no fertilizers, pesticides, or water to maintain for a natural grass. Artificial grass also is responsible for killing off the soil and its ecosystem in areas that once were living. Highly Durable It is long-lasting and can be used for upto 10 to 15 years depending on . When both sections of synthetic turf are secure and the seam is perfectly in place, fold open both edges of the two sections to expose the subgrade. I note the UKs largest builders merchant, Travis Perkins is currently selling plastic grass. The toxins in artificial turf threaten our health via contact, consumption (via water), and inhalation. It is safe for children and pets. Environmentally Friendly With Us the Grass is Greener Artificial grass saves over 50 gallons of water per square foot of turf installed. That said, some of my clients do still choose to install it, as do some of my friends and family, which makes this blog post a tad awkward to write. Dozens of specialist firms now market fake grass as a replacement for garden lawns. You may be familiar with the term "AstroTurf," which is extremely similar. Here Is A Look At Two Reasons Why We Advise Against Vacuuming Synthetic Grass 1. Perhaps it's the novelty of a place that isn't so familiar as the four walls of home. This is the point that I guess is subjective and most people who think fake grass looks neat wont like me saying: astro turf never looks like anything but astro turf. Barter also challenges the idea that artificial turf is maintenance-free, saying it still needs to be cleaned of litter and moss growth, and some owners have simply replaced mowing with vacuuming. And I think a lot of people are put off by lawns because theres so much quite confusing technical speak around it like mowing, feeding, weeding, moss control and overseeding. A helpful way to make sure your lawn or patio does not smell like dog urine is to regularly rinse the area after your dog uses it. If your grass has developed the smell of burning rubber, this should be the reason, and you should consider spending a bit more on artificial grass of a higher quality. If you buy cheap quality artificial grass it might be the reason that the heat is causing damage to your turf, and it smells stinky because it has direct contact with the sunlight and it would smell like burning rubber, to avoid this you should spend more money on artificial grass for higher quality. Robot mowers or local gardeners are the answer. If you found this useful, please support my site from 1.67/month by joining my Wild Way newsletter, powering me to the next free article. it is one of the most advanced in the industry! Its very true that you dont need to use the likes of weedkillers, pesticides and chemical fertilisers on synthetic grass. Thank you for signing up to the Eco Life Newsletter. This is because artificial turf has a lifespan ranging from 10 to 20 years while natural grass can last for more than 50 years. Imagine being able to have hours of your life given back to your weekend and a year round beautiful yard. Thanks for doing that Richard, if we all do a bit to spread the word well make a difference. Also, when the time is up for fake grass it cant be reseeded it has to be rolled up and dealt with in a non-sustainable manner where it causes further negative impacts on the environment. However, this can only be done at specialist plants in Europe and it is doubtful that many customers would go the extra mile. Another reasons some shy away from using artificial grass is that a sharp increase in temperature can cause the rubbers to drastically heat up when it's hot outside, making it difficult for some athletes to play as they face quicker fatigue and hydration issues. Good luck Shai hopefully a well maintained lawn is worth it for you. Why fake grass is bad? There are some producers who are making artificial grass partly from recycled material, which is great. Artificial grass usually has better drainage than natural grass, so opting for synthetic turf can help ensure better drainage for pet restroom areas. The average home saves over 50 gallons of water per year for every square foot of artificial grass installed. Others might have additional or differing views or information to add. Some people even claim that they can smell the infill, days after their lawn has been installed. That was a hard-won change, made after the US team complained to Fifa that they sustained more injuries on artificial turf. Individual blades of fake grass tear off and blow into the ground. The artificial grass of the time looked like it was animated by Pixar - bright, garish colours with a distinctive tinsel-like feel underfoot. Answer (1 of 3): Basically, it's not grass. Soil is a vital, and significantly underappreciated, component of life.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Soil is a natural store of carbon from the atmosphere, which then gets absorbed by plants via their roots over a large amount of time in a controlled manner. Quite often when people say to me that their garden is too shaded, I actually just see before me poor maintenance. My husbands main concern was water and lawn maintenance. Placing artificial grass on your soil prevents the biodegradation of organic matter like leaf and grass clippings which are essential for healthy soil. On the other hand, most health . Just a quick question, you have just claimed that artificial grass isnt recyclable but told Joseph to recycle, so clearly, it is recyclable? According to the NFLPA, their data found that players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries . In comparison to natural grass, artificial grass . Sustainability requires a reduction in resource use and waste, and an increase in recyclability and reuse. The processes involved in mixing, colouring and moulding all of the plastic releases carbon. Meaningful Reduction In Pollution Technological advancements have given us many tools to keep our garden maintained, these may be negatively affecting our environment. On the other hand, natural grass provides the perfect environment for bugs and pests which you need to spend time, effort, money, and harmful pesticide to rid your lawn of. Fake grass is fast increasing in demand because it's easy to maintain and aesthetically appealing. We moved in to our house last year and the previous owner had covered the entire 6x21m garden in Astroturf. It is not just wildlife that artificial turf affects. This then leaves to avenues for the artificial grass: landfill or incinerated for energy. Contaminants that are harmful to aquatic life, such as zinc, have been found in storm water runoff from artificial turf. RBKC had huge floods in July, many are still not back in their damaged homes. Artificial turf doesnt need to be watered as often as natural grass because it is not growing. Real grass supports wildlife and biodiversity, absorbs rainfall, protects the soil and this crucial ecosystem and actively contributes in a positive way to the environment artificial grass does none of this. Artificial turf does not absorb water. Over time, there will be nothing beneath fake grass for most soil life to survive. Artificial grass manufacturers will tell you all the positives that this material can have on the environment, whereas resolute environmentalists will tell you that it is nothing but bad for the environment. For example, Royal Grass says its environmentally friendly turf, called Eco-Sense, is recyclable (in other words, cradle-to-cradle) and declares that it has the look and feel of natural grass, but outperforms its natural source of inspiration: Green is a premium goal in our quest on how we can make our artificial grass more sustainable. Robot lawn mowers are also a thing of wonder, they do work well and although fairly expensive, are still a tenth of the cost of having astro turf installed. Real grass can die. In addition, further carbon is released from the energy used (i.e. And what happens to fake grass when it reaches the end of its life in 10-20 years? In 2017, 37 out of 51 artificial turf fields in Washington failed safety tests due to hardness scores above 165. Paving or decking is better especially for a seating area. The reality is that all types of lawns require regular watering, whether theyre made from natural or synthetic materials. Inhaling or ingesting these chemicals causes breathing problems and long-term diseases in children. The best adhesives are low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) because they emit fewer harmful toxins when theyre exposed to heat during installation or when theyre exposed to UV rays after installation. Looking for something easy and attractive. Even if you remove all clippings and leaves from a real lawn, real grass grows and dies back and rejuvenates every year. For instance, some artificial grass manufacturers use recycled tires in their products. In general, artificial grass isnt sustainable. In fact, the fibers are designed to break down over time. dramatic global decline in insect species. Not all to be fair, but one touch of fake grass will tell you that you or your children wont want to skid across it with bare knees. Never spam. Dividing a Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant). Common plastic materials used for artificial grass include:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-box-4','ezslot_5',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-box-4-0'); The synthetic plastic grass blades are often woven into an underlying mat of plastic to secure them in place. The kids and pets can play on it. Petroleum-based products are extremely carbon heavy, create waste and pollution during the manufacturing process, then if not recycled, will carrying on having a negative impact on the environment as it degrades in landfill site.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'tinyecohomelife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',119,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-tinyecohomelife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); There is a lot of plastic that goes into making artificial grass too. Choosing an artificial grass with a low-quality backing can result in several potential problems. Theres a two-fold impact of fake grass on soil: Real grass provides homes, stop off points, feeding grounds and areas of interaction for hundreds of different creatures. A square metre of fake grass can weigh anywhere from 1.5kg to 3kg, which equates to between roughly 300-600L of water per metre squared. These two points are the most common reasons for lumpy bumpy artificial grass: 1: Inadequate turf and top-soil removal from the underlying lawn area. How to make a micro wildlife pond in a pot, The importance and benefits of keeping leaf litter around plants, Why its time to ban non-organic pesticides from sale to the general public, Horticulture industry bans corporations digging up precious habitats to make compost, 8 tips to demystify growing Begonias as houseplants, 7 ways high altitude gardening impacts plant growth. 2. I think people will need to be inventive in spaces like this. Artificial turf does not allow vegetation or plants to grow underneath it because no organic matter can be broken down by microorganisms due to the lack of sunlight reaching the soil below the turf surface. Also, maintaining artificial grass isn't as carefree as you might think. I was concerned about birds and squirrels not coming to hang out it in our yard anymore. Lets take a look. Its also recyclable at the end of its lifespan if you decide to replace your synthetic grass product at some point down the road. Having previously worked for TP for 33 years I have just emailed their CEO regarding this and provided him with a link to your article. Around a real lawn, paths and patios can be laid for further access during wet weather or in winter. When we grew up we played on patios and it wasnt a problem. 888-870-8771 Please look at DYMONDIA TO REPLACE YOUR GRASS. Its even been found in the most remote places on earth, such as the polar seabed of Antarctica. Surface temperatures of artificial grass are about 20-50 F higher than natural grass and typically reach the same temperature as asphalt pavement. "It blocks access to the soil beneath for burrowing insects, such as solitary bees, and the ground above for soil dwellers such as worms, which will be starved of food beneath it," he says. Artificial grass may in very specific circumstances be the lesser of two evils, for example if a large lawn is heavily watered every night and treated with excessive amounts of chemical fertiliser, but to say its eco-friendly is simply not true. Although it sounds like an innovative idea, the reality is that theres more harm than good when you use rubber as a base for synthetic turf. I really enjoy the little wildlife we do get. This is fairly scientific but really comes down to knowing when to mow it properly, to keep an eye out for problems like compaction and to reseed and repair patches. This is either a lack of education or pure ignorance. Artificial grass wont improve this, itll just make it worse in the long term. This helps keep potential weeds from coming up through the turf. These products use advanced technologies such as moisture retention systems and wicking action to keep their blades green without using too much water in the process. As they flake off and find their way into the nearby soil and environment, they get unknowingly consumed by animals and transported in water systems. Artificial grass is bad for the environment The conclusion, as you expected, is not good. I actually feel this is one of the most important points on this list. No birds can use it. I ran a quick calculation that you can do yourself whereby if a person used say, one disposable plastic straw a day for a year, over the course of 15 years that would be 21,900 straws for a family of 4 at 12kg of plastic. Thanks for taking the time to write and publish this compelling list of reasons to assist the battle to stave off the fake grass epidemic which is infecting the entire world I will be spreading it whenever I get the opportunity. There are a number of reasons why artificial grass is bad for the environment, particularly so when compared to real grass. There are many reasons why the artificial grass industry keeps growing year over year! Why You Need Artificial Grass 1. 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