Synthetic Grass vs. Natural Grass

Synthetic grass is finding its way onto sport fields, public parks and suburban lawns. Artificial turf outraged sports fans in the early 1980s but has become more acceptable today. Homeowners and city officials are choosing synthetic grass to save on water bills and maintenance. The company Synthetic Grass USA reports that synthetic grass reduces pesticide use and water and maintenance costs while giving you year-round green grass. However, that is not the whole story.

Water Savings

Artificial turf is said to save water.

You don't have to water your lawn to keep it green and full if you have synthetic grass. Water costs are one of the chief selling points of synthetic turf. But artificial turf can become as much as 80 degrees hotter than natural grass, according to Linda Fassa on the website Planet Green. Sales representative for Easy Turf Mark Radeke explains that spraying the turf with water reduces the heat temporarily; however, that means you'll still be watering your lawn. Synthetic grass is said to be pet-friendly but you'll have to hose it down to wash away pet leavings. Fassa points out that, on athletic fields, blood, saliva and sweat need to be washed off artificial turf.

Environmental Considerations

Artificial turf takes tires out of landfills but traps heat.

According to Radeke, the crumbled rubber that makes up the cushioning in artificial turf is made from recycled tires. Covering a football field with synthetic grass takes the equivalent of 100,000 tires out of landfills and the whole product is completely recyclable. The grass blades are toxin-free and synthetic grass makes the use of fertilizers and pesticides moot. Artificial turf doesn't trigger allergies like natural grass can. Proponents of artificial grass claim that you reduce your carbon footprint with synthetic grass because you use recycled materials, cut lawnmower gasoline use and avoid adding methane gas to the environment from piles of grass clippings.

Fassa points out, however, that synthetic grass gives off volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These gases can be toxic for children with asthma. Rubber tires contain toxins and heavy metals, which is why it's illegal to toss them into rivers and landfills; yet artificial turf-makers claim this rubber is safe for kids to play on. Fassa claims that algaecides and fungicides are used, against EPA advisement, on synthetic fields. Ocean Friendly Gardens manager Dylan Edwards notes that artificial turf is a petroleum product that absorbs sunlight. It gives off carbon dioxide besides trapping heat. This contributes to global warming and forces homeowners to turn up their air conditioning. Natural grass, on the other hand, cools the air and absorbs carbon and filters runoff and rainwater.

Sport Skills

Artificial turf can suppress the use of delicate skills in sports.

The first artificial turf on ball fields was unsightly and affected play. Balls bounced in unusual ways, players lost their footing and skidding athletes got burn marks from the synthetic grass. Synthetic grass may contribute to sports injuries. The use of artificial grass on field hockey fields changed the game, according to the website Mother Nature Network. It became a fast game dominated by stamina and delicate skills became less useful. These delicate skills are crucial to the sport of soccer.

Cost Considerations

Synthetic playing fields may cost more than natural grass to maintain.

Synthetic grass is said to be more economical than natural grass. Synthetic Grass USA lists a cost comparison of the two on their website. Based on a 1,000-square-foot area over three years, a one-time installment of artificial turf costs $8,250. Natural grass, including water costs, mowing, fertilizing and weed removal, can cost as much as $17,000 over three years. The company also points out that water rebates are offered in many states when artificial turf is installed.

In a 2006 University of Missouri study, however, turfgrass specialist Brad Fresenburg found that, in a 16-year scenario, a natural grass playing field cost an average of $33,522 to maintain every year. A basic synthetic grass field cost $65,846 and a premium synthetic field cost $109,013 to maintain annually. Fresenburg said that the public school trend to install synthetic turf isn't based on true cost considerations. A natural grass field can withstand as much use as a synthetic one.

Combination Options

The 2010 World Cup was played on a combination of natural and synthetic grass.

An alternative to all-natural grass or all-synthetic grass covered the field for the playing of the 2010 World Cup. Desso Sports Systems wove millions of blades of synthetic grass in and under the natural grass on the field. The combination turf is used on playing fields in Liverpool and Madrid and by US football teams the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. The turf is predominantly natural grass but the synthetic blades help save the surface from wear and tear.

References

• "KPBS News:"San Diegans Using Synthetic Grass To Conserve Water; Ed Joyce; (Apr. 22, 2010)
• Synthetic Grass USA: Natural Grass Comparison
• Mother Nature Network: Artificial Grass Woven into Real Turf at 2010 World Cup
• University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources: Synthetic Turfgrass Costs Far Exceed Natural Grass Playing Fields
• Albawaba: Artificial Grass to Grow in UAE

Resources

• Planet Green: 5 Arguments Against Artificial Grass