Tips on artificial grass

The impact of artificial turf on the environment

05 July 2019 • 0 comments

With significant water savings and low maintenance requirements, artificial turf is increasingly being promoted as a replacement for natural grass on sports fields and gardens. However, the question remains as to whether it is an ecological alternative to natural grass or not. 

 

It’s true artificial grass has come a long way. Its benefits are so apparent that a lot of people have started to use it in their lawns. 

 

One of the biggest advantages of synthetic grass is its flexibility. While it’s perfect for gardens and lawns, artificial grass can be used for a lot of other applications too. Balconies, patios and pathways, caravans, staircases, play area, etc. — these are just some of the places where you can use it. 

 

Indeed, the possibilities are endless! 

 

Despite all that, some people are still hesitant about doing the switch. The argument of real vs fake grass is ongoing. But perhaps, the biggest question of all is this: is it safe for the environment? Is it an eco-friendly option? 

 

Read on to find out and judge for yourself if you think it is or isn’t eco-friendly. 

WATER USAGE

Artificial turf, compared to other surfaces for your garden, hardly needs water for maintenance, occasionally to remove dust and dirt (especially if you have pets) and to cool it. 

¿Qué impacto tiene el césped artificial en el medio ambiente?

This represents a considerable saving, up to 70% or more, when compared to natural grass, or even more if you live in drought areas. If compared with other surfaces such as tile or concrete, the savings would not be so great but it would still exist since cooling the grass in summer is much faster than in these materials that retain more heat. 

 

Everyone knows how important it is to conserve and use resources intelligently, so in this respect artificial grass has a point in its favor. 

 

RECYCLING

Another argument of those who are against artificial turf is that it is not recyclable. 

 

Artificial turf can last up to a good 25 years; but many fear that if it is not recyclable when it reaches the end of its useful life, it will end up in landfills, which will generate more waste. 

 

However, this is not entirely true, since not all artificial lawns are the same. In fact, there are many that are made with materials that are recyclable. And although baking is the only part that is not, it can be easily melted to create new products. 

 

REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS

Many argue that as a negative point that artificial grass does not absorb carbon dioxide and releases oxygen as a natural grass does. Which is absolutely true, although only during the day since at night the natural grass also generates CO2, a part of which is fixed in the ground. 

 

In addition, the carbon footprint produced by natural grass is dismissed due to its maintenance. According to studies by the University of California, pruning and mowing add energy consumption that increases emissions; In addition, one of the basic fertilizers used in parks and gardens contains nitrogen, a gas whose impact on the greenhouse effect is 300 times higher than that of CO2. 

 

The results showed that the maintenance of natural grass emits more greenhouse gases than those that are capable of eliminating, so that natural grass is not as ecological an option as one thinks. 

 

In this sense, artificial grass requires very little maintenance and does not need fertilizers to be green and fresh like the first day. Therefore, one could say that for its maintenance the carbon footprint is reduced considerably compared to the natural alternative. 

IT IS NOT LIVE VEGETATION

This is true, artificial turf is synthetic, so it does not provide habitats for living creatures such as insects, plants and other organisms that are essential for decomposing and recycling organic and inorganic products that fall into the grass. 

 

But it is also for this reason that you will never have any problem with pests and insects in your artificial grass, since they could not survive in these conditions. 

 

On the other hand, you don’t have to just put artificial grass, after all, you can also choose your favourite plants, flowers and shrubs to complement your lawn and add life to your garden. 

¿Qué impacto tiene el césped artificial en el medio ambiente?
¿Qué impacto tiene el césped artificial en el medio ambiente?

HEATING

This is another of the concerns of people, the heating of artificial grass to be a synthetic material. At this point it is true that natural grass is much better than artificial grass because it does not accumulate heat and disperse it. 

 

But if we take into account other artificial surfaces, such as tile or concrete, we could say that artificial grass would be a better option since although all these surfaces absorb heat, artificial grass cools more quickly, so with a hose You will quickly decrease its temperature. 

 

In addition, there are already options, such as the Feelgood® technology from Albergrass that makes the grass stay between 7 and 12 degrees cooler than a normal artificial grass. 

TOXICITY

Another advantage of artificial grass over natural is that it is not toxic, at least a quality artificial grass produced according to European standards. You also do not need to use herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers to protect it. 

 

The chemicals used to maintain natural grass conditions are harmful to both humans and animals (especially if you have pets). Not only that, but they can also damage the environment in ways you probably didn’t think possible. The risk appears when these chemicals find their way to local water sources such as rivers, ponds and streams. 

 

This can happen through surface water runoff. 

  

Once these aggressive chemicals reach local waters, they can damage animal and marine wildlife. Imagine how dangerous it would be if these toxins were also introduced into drinking water. 

¿Qué impacto tiene el césped artificial en el medio ambiente?

It is true that, although artificial turf is not toxic, there has been a growing concern for safety, particularly the fillers used for installation, such as recycled rubber. 

 

That is why numerous studies have been conducted to assess the risks and the results consistently show that no significant health risk was associated with being or playing in these fields. 

 

Anyway, in Albergrass we always recommend using silica sand as a filler, in addition to not having any danger it helps maintain the humidity of the lawn and reduce its temperature in summer. 

As you can see, artificial turf has its pros and cons in terms of how ecological it is. The same goes for natural grass and other surfaces that you can choose to decorate your garden. 

 

In any case, although artificial grass is far from perfect, after reviewing the impact it has on the environment, we could say that it is not as bad as some believe. It is even possible that a good artificial grass has more benefits than inconveniences for the environment. 

 

What do you think? 

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