Environmental Benefits of Synthetic Turf

Issued by Synthetic Turf Council – 2011

Landscape

1.  Saves Water – A Resource in Short Supply

• According to the EPA, over one-third of residential water is used for lawn irrigation nationwide, totaling over 4 billion gallons of water a day.
• The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates that every square foot of natural grass replaced saves an additional 55 gallons of water per year.  The average lawn is 1,800 square feet, so the average home with synthetic turf saves 99,000 gallons of water each year.
• The average U.S. Household can save up to 70% on their water bill, or $500.
• Earns LEED points for Water Efficient Landscaping

2.  Eliminates the use of lawn mowers

• According to the EPA, a 3.5 horsepower gas-powered lawn mower releases the same amount of air polluting emissions in one hour as a new car driven 340 miles.
• Over 17 million gallons of gas and oil are spilled each year from refueling lawn equipment; that is more oil than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.

3.  Eliminates the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers

• The EPA has identified runoff of toxic pesticides and fertilizers as a principal cause of water pollution.  Synthetic turf eliminates the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

Sports Fields

1.  Saves Water – A Resource in Short Supply

• One full-size synthetic turf sports field saves 500,000 to 1,000,000 gallons of water each year.  For example, the El Paso Independent School District estimates its 10 new synthetic turf sports fields will save 80 million gallons of water each year, and $832,000 in water, mowing, repairs, and general maintenance.
• Earns LEED points for Water Efficient Landscaping

2.  Recycles tens of millions of used tires annually to be used as crumb rubber infill

3.  Eliminates the use of billions of pounds of toxic pesticides and fertilizers

• The EPA has identified runoff of toxic pesticides and fertilizers as a principal cause of water pollution.  In Florida alone, the EPA estimates that about 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of lakes and 900 square miles of estuaries are impaired by runoff of pesticides and fertilizers.

Act Global Sports is a proud member of the Synthetic Turf Council.

Information gathered from www.syntheticturfcouncil.org

Tags: artificial turf, benefits, environment, environmentally friendly, installation, landscaping, natural grass, pitch maintenance, sports field turf, synthetic grass, synthetic grass installations, synthetic turf, Synthetic Turf Council, Xtreme Turf