Who would have thought that artificial turf would be good for the environment? I know
I have always thought of it as a blight, a replacement for natural grass that didn't
make environmental sense. Turns out I was short-sighted in my judgement of turf. It
saves natural resources and provides another use for a potentially caustic waste
product.
According to the Synthetic Turf Council, replacing natural grass fields with
artificial turf can save substantial amounts of water, three billion gallons in North
America. Also, the turf doesn't require fertilizers or pesticides to keep it looking
green, saving over a billion pounds in chemicals. Mowing is not required, saving
energy and reducing smog emissions. This lack of maintenance is one reason it is the
perfect surface for indoor arenas.
Artificial turf is made of recycled tires, called crumb rubber, keeping them from
inhabiting landfills or being burned. According to Liberty Tire Recycling, over 105
million used tires have been recycled to make turf in North America. Liberty is the
number one provider of recycled tires in the U.S.
The crumb rubber provides cushioning and springiness to the turf, protecting athletes
from injury. It also helps the turf dry quickly, drain excess water, reduce mud and
dust, and minimize freezing. Crumb rubber is also used to make welcome mats,
antifatigue mats, portable speedbumps, and weightlifting plates.
"Synthetic turf is an excellent investment for the environment," said Jeffrey Kendall,
CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling. "It provides an outlet for millions of scrap tires and
helps to keep these tires out of the waste stream. We hope that the work and research
the Synthetic Turf Council performs will help to increase awareness about the numerous
benefits synthetic turf can provide for our environment and our communities."
While it may not single-handedly save the planet, artificial turf can lower the
environmental impact of sports arenas and fields, as well as saving on maintenance
expenses.
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