Synthetic turf and the environment

Protecting our environment has been a significant concern of late in Australia, and especially in the spectrum of the political debate. Whilst the focus for more sustainability is mostly concentrated on major industry, there is also a push for homeowners and small businesses to do their part. One easy way for residences and small scale commercial businesses to do this is, ironically through the use of an artificial substance in synthetic turf.

Whilst the preference of synthetic turf over actual grass may seem odd initially, there are many clear cut reasons as to why this is the case. These reason can also be traced to the actual making of the synthetic turf, of which is regularly done with 100% recycled material. In this article, we’re going to be going through four of the main points behind the sustainability of synthetic turf, as well as what it can do to make your life much more eco-friendly and easy.

No pesticides needed

Pesticides, whether they be simple weed removers, or winter primers, have been found in recent years to be very harmful to the environment. This eco hazard is increased with airborne pesticide sprays, which spread much further through the air than conventional liquids. One of the main benefits of synthetic turf is the lack of regular maintenance needed, of which the use of pesticides is simply not needed.

Recycled materials

Throughout the structural make up of synthetic turf, you will find a host of recyclable materials. From the rubber in the tuft of the surface, right to the tips of the recycled plastics used to make the fibres, everything found in synthetic turf has been sustainably reused. Synthetic turf is also minus the heavy metals that were once used to compile the surface in the 60’s, creating a healthier, eco-friendly option for surface laying.

Low emissions

Take into the account that the edging and mowing that we commonly have to do to maintain our lawns, and that is a lot of emissions caused by household tools. Petrol fired lawn mowers and whipper snippers emit pure CO2 back into the atmosphere, and can potentially create a dangerous atmosphere in the vicinity of your own backyard. Synthetic turf stays as it is, obviously, and the lack of tools needed to maintain it completely eliminates this emission issue.

Little water required

Synthetic turf doesn’t require as much water as your conventional, real lawn, and will need none if used for a beautification project, such as a checkerboard footpath. A large number; 40% to be exact, of our water usage is used outdoors. Cutting this down through the use of synthetic turf isn’t only environmentally prudent, it is also a great way to save on your water usage bills. This point is one of the many ways in which synthetic turf pays back its initial price quite quickly.