The Green Alternative | How Artificial Turf Can Benefit the Environment

The Green Alternative | How Artificial Turf Can Benefit the Environment

Going green is on everyone’s mind these days. We try to reduce waste, conserve water, and make earth-friendly choices in our everyday lives. One way you may not have considered helping the environment is in your own backyard – by installing artificial turf instead of natural grass.

Artificial turf, also known as synthetic grass or fake grass, has advanced by leaps and bounds from the old astroturf used in sports stadiums. Today’s artificial lawns look and feel remarkably similar to real grass. At the same time, they provide a number of ecological advantages over traditional lawns.

If you’re thinking about replacing your water-hungry grass with a low maintenance environmentally-friendly alternative, read on to learn three key ways artificial turf can benefit the earth.

Reduced Water Consumption

In many areas, especially drought-prone regions, grass lawns require vast amounts of irrigation. Up to 70% of household water use goes towards lawn and garden maintenance in the summer months. Installing fake grass removes the need for regular watering, conserving thousands of litres of water each year.

Artificial lawns retain their fresh, green appearance even with little rainfall. While natural grass turns brown without adequate moisture, fake grass withstands heat and drought conditions with no watering required. This makes artificial turf ideal for drier climates. Even in rainy regions, going water-free a few days a week can lead to major water savings.

Lower Carbon Footprint Compared to Natural Grass

From the power required to pump water for irrigation to the gas used by lawnmowers, traditional grass maintenance has a surprisingly large carbon footprint. Synthetic lawns eliminate many of the fossil fuel-burning tasks associated with caring for real grass.

Artificial turf needs no regular mowing, fertilizing, or pesticide application. That means no more noisy, polluting lawn mowers or chemical-spreading equipment required. Fake grass also sequesters carbon; it’s often made partially from recycled plastics that would otherwise be dumped in landfills.

When you add up the water pumping, mowing, fertilizer production, and other factors, artificial lawns are markedly lower maintenance compared to natural grass. This lightens your lawn’s carbon footprint versus a traditional grass lawn.

Elimination of Harmful Chemicals and Pesticides

Keeping real grass green and weed-free relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. Runoff from these chemicals pollutes groundwater and local waterways. They also disrupt soil health and the biodiversity of organisms living underground.

Artificial turf avoids all these issues. Once installed, fake lawns need no chemicals whatsoever to look perfect year-round. Avoiding pesticides and fertilizers prevents toxic agricultural runoff from sullying nearby streams and rivers. It also maintains the natural balance of microorganisms in the soil.

The environmental benefits of artificial grass clearly show why artificial turf is gaining popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to grass. With heightened awareness of water shortages, climate change, and pollution, fake grass offers a way for homeowners to get off the chemical-pesticide treadmill while conserving water and minimizing yard work.

If you’re ready to trade mowing and fertilizing for more free time while also helping the planet, it’s time to consider installing synthetic turf. Combat drought conditions, reduce emissions, and curb the use of harmful chemicals – all while enjoying a luscious green lawn year-round. With artificial grass, you can have a beautiful landscape that’s gentle on the earth.