How a real lawn compares to the alternatives

 

Real grass does this;

Although it would seem unnecessary to state the obvious, grass is good! Just like trees and other plants, it supports and enhances the environment.

 

Grass absorbs greenhouse gas and converts it into life-giving oxygen. Grass does this at a much higher rate than native plants because grass has higher leaf density and a faster growth rate. A 250 m2 lawn converts enough carbon dioxide into oxygen to sustain a family of four!

 

Turf (grass) roots act as a natural environmental filter, and in combination with soil biology make lawn root zones an ideal medium for the biodegradation of contaminants that are carried in runoff water. Grass absorbs particulates and some of the worst atmospheric pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and ozone.

 

Grass Provides Urban Habitat – We think of cities and towns as places where people live, but they are also places where native birds and animals reside. Landscapes provide the habitat and forage areas for our wildlife co-inhabitants. Turf is a highly productive forage area for birds and small mammals.

 

So what does the Artificial Turf provide?

 

It is ridiculous to suggest that artificial turf is more environmentally friendly than real grass. Plastic turf is a petroleum product, so consider the carbon footprint and pollution generated to manufacture it! No artificial lawn will last forever, so the cost and the pollution created to replace it and dispose of the old material must also be recognised. Artificial lawns may not “use” water, but they certainly must be washed off periodically to clean away dust and dirt, and to be sanitised of pet waste. The runoff of the dirty and unsanitary water from cleaning an artificial lawn winds up entering the sewer systems, or draining directly to the ocean. Except for not requiring water to stay alive, artificial turf produces absolutely no environmental benefits.

Artificial turf provides no urban habitat enhancement or support for birds and small mammals, in fact it destroys it.

As a recreational surface, artificial turf has some serious flaws. It is certainly not “barefoot friendly.” On a hot summer day, its surface temperature will actually be hotter than asphalt making it a very inhospitable place for sports, recreation or relaxing. In fact, in warm climates artificial sports fields are cooled with a dousing of water prior to games. Also, studies show that more injuries, particularly abrasions, are sustained on artificial turf fields