Environmental Benefits of Artificial Turf

There are several environmental advantages associated with turf installation, including:

• Reduced water usage – Perhaps the biggest environmental benefit of artificial turf is water conservation. On average, every square foot of natural grass requires hundreds of gallons of water or rainfall every year. That means residential property can conserve thousands of gallons of water (and hundreds of dollars) annually by switching to turf.
  Commercial properties or large residential properties (like apartment complexes) can make a major impact on water conservation by switching to artificial grass, potentially saving thousands of dollars in utility costs annually, depending on the property. In areas where water usage is an ongoing concern, turf provides a viable eco-friendly alternative that won’t stress your water usage.

  Since turf doesn’t need to be watered regularly, your property will create less runoff, which is often contaminated with pollution and undesirable chemicals that can escape into municipal water systems.

• Reduced pesticide and fertilizer usage – Pesticides and fertilizers are toxic to children and animals, and both tend to be washed away during rain or irrigation. That means more chemical pollution finding its way into storm sewers and into bodies of water, where they may do additional damage to wildlife and the environment.

  Since artificial turf doesn’t require fertilizers or pesticides, it isn’t a potential source of chemical pollution resulting from landscaping treatment. When your property is soaked by a heavy downpour, rest assured that your turf isn’t leeching pesticides or fertilizers into the water system. Further, property owners can rest easy knowing that people and pets won’t be harmed by lawn chemicals.

• Reduced emissions and carbon footprint – Natural grasses require consistent landscaping to maintain their health and appearance. That means constant mowing, mulching, weed eating, edging and more. Gas powered lawn equipment does the heavy lifting during landscaping jobs, which results in additional air pollution and a larger carbon footprint.

  Artificial turf doesn’t grow, so it needs very little maintenance to remain in viable shape. By cutting out the landscape maintenance, your property is also cutting down on any environmental impacts.

• The use of recycled turf materials – Modern artificial grasses are made with recycled materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill as waste. Reclaimed rubber, for example, is often produced from tires and other waste materials. Synthetic turf gives these materials a second life, keeping them out of the landfill and reducing the need to incorporate virgin materials into the artificial grass.