Artificial grass is attractive and beautiful since it is always vividly green and looks perfect in any yard or sports area. But the question is whether the artificial grass is eco-friendly and should opt for it for you home lawns and gardens.

Global warming is already here and the impacts of this disaster are being felt even now, from bushfires to tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, and extreme weather conditions. Every small contribution to reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and natural resource waste can make a great effect. This is why we must all do our share to avoid exacerbating the problems that currently exist on our world.

In this article we have tried to list down the pros and cons of using artificial grass instead of the natural ones especially for the environment.

So first let us look at some of the advantages or pros of using the artificial grass

Advantages of using the Artificial Grass

No need for hazardous pesticides and fertilizers.

Pesticides are required to keep insects and infestations at bay while using natural grass. Fertilizers are also required for healthy and plentiful grass growth. But did you know that the majority of these products are harmful to both people and pets? Furthermore, when you water the grass, chemicals might leach into your water system, resulting in harmful pollutants in your drinking water.

Artificial grass eliminates the need for herbicides and hazardous fertilizers.

Conserve water

Natural grass requires regular watering. Cleaning artificial grass is only necessary after a really dusty or unclean event. Did you know that reducing your shower time by one minute might save you up to 365 gallons of water each year? You could save up to 3,650 gallons of water if you simply filled your bathtub halfway! You’ll also save 56,000 gallons of water every year with artificial turf!

Furthermore, if water is scarce or limited during the hot summer months, your lawn will remain delightfully green and healthy.

No carbon emissions

While natural grass may convert CO2 into oxygen, the quantity of CO2 emitted in its maintenance considerably surpasses this advantage. If your lawnmower is gasoline-powered, an hour of mowing may produce the same amount of pollution as four hours of driving. Furthermore, motorized garden equipment account for 8% of the country’s contribution to global warming.

On the other hand, artificial grass requires no trimming and very little maintenance.

Recyclable

You may take your artificial grass with you if you move from one property to another. When properly maintained, it has a 25-year average lifetime. This implies that you may utilize your grass on your next property no matter how many times you relocate in that time period. Some grass producers also utilize eco-friendly materials, some of which are biodegradable.

Don’t be concerned that your artificial grass will end up in a landfill after 25 years. If you wish to recycle turf, it may be melted and turned into many useful items.

Disadvantages of Using the Artificial Grass

Artificial Grass does have some draw backs also

Materials used in Artificial Grass

You may be concerned about the fake grass’s material. True grass is a live ground cover that emits oxygen as it develops. Artificial grass has varying environmental effects. Although the padding is frequently composed of recycled tyres, which keeps them out of landfills, the petroleum-based artificial grass components are far from natural. Because research on the safety of utilizing these synthetic materials on the lawn is limited, you must determine for yourself if grass is a healthy alternative for covering the yard. If you are concerned about covering your grass in the material, non-rubber padding is available in the market.

Soil Pollution

Whether recycled or not, plastic grass fragments degrade and pollute our soils for decades. Individual blades of synthetic grass peel off and blow onto surrounding planting areas or bare soil. Although plastic takes decades or centuries to degrade, it does degrade, releasing microplastics into soils that end up in soil microorganisms. We are just now beginning to comprehend what is occurring and the harm it is inflicting to the natural world. We may eventually be able to recycle the majority of a plastic lawn, but extracting microplastics from soil and soil life will be difficult.

Maintenance

Although you will no longer have to mow your synthetic grass, it will still require maintenance to keep it looking nice. To clear trash that falls onto the surface, sweep or spray the grass. Lawn sanitation is also an issue. Everything from blood to dog excrement contaminates the synthetic grass. While toxins washes off natural grass, synthetic grass does not. You will need to clear up any messes that might pose a health risk.

Runoff

Rainwater may infiltrate into the soil through real grass and natural landscaping materials. Although synthetic grass is normally constructed to enable water to soak through, it may not allow all precipitation to sink down into the soil, particularly if the soil beneath gets compacted. Storm water runoff transports material into storm sewers, where it can damage water supplies.

Odor build-up

Messes on artificial turf, like real grass, will fester if not cleaned up promptly. Certain forms of infill are also prone to odour retention.

Temperature

When the ambient temperature is high, real grass provides a cooling effect. Artificial grass does not have this cooling effect. The grass may get hotter than the air, making the surrounding air feel much hotter. A concealed water system may keep synthetic grass cooler to the touch, making it more pleasant on your feet. The temperature is affected by the substance used as padding beneath the fake grass. 

As you can see, artificial grass has both advantages and disadvantages in terms of environmental friendliness. The same holds true for natural grass. To be sure, synthetic grass is far from flawless, but who knows? As producers continue to enhance the manufacturing process, artificial grass may one day be completely safe and environmentally benign.

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