How to Dispose of AstroTurf

There's more than one way to dispose of old artificial turf.

AstroTurf can be a long-lasting, low-maintenance alternative to natural grass. As turf ages out, it can go curbside. However, the growing use of AstroTurf and other synthetic turfs in recent decades have led to disposal alternatives. Because use of crumb rubber has given artificial turf a bad rap in the past, the eco-conscious often equate the disposal process to getting rid of old carpet or tires.Newer models of artificial turf, such as AstroTurf sister company SYNLawn, make eco-friendliness a selling point.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Trash bags
• Boiled water
• Putty knife

Instructions

Green Strategies

1. Determine if anyone else can use the turf. Check classified ads in newspapers or online; or offer the material yourself via a site like Craigslist. Someone might be able to give the old turf new life as a practice putting surface or a cat-scratch post cover.

2. Sell the turf. Check with Surfacing Strategies, which runs the Used Artificial Turf website, for people in the market to buy old turf.

3. Recycle the turf. Even if the local recycling center isn't equipped to take it, consult optons like Fieldaway, a Georgia-based company that comes with the Synthetic Turf Council's recommendation. Target Technologies International Inc. turns old turf fields into fuel for cement factories in the U.S. and Canada. SYNLawn, which is AstroTurf's sister company for residential products, has its own recycling program.

Physical Disposal

1. Slice unwanted turf into strips with a utility knife to fit the length of a trash bag.

2. Boil water in a pot. Amount needed depends on how many stubborn glue spots are holding down the turf.

3. Pour water on tough spots.

4. Work a putty knife between surface and turf to pull the turf from the glue.

5. Pack turf strips in trash bags.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with local waste hauler to determine if there are special pickup requirements. AstroTurf and SYNLawn in recent years have been made with recycled materials and are considered to be safe for landfills.

• Older AstroTurf may require special pickup and a waste disposal fee. The Sports Turf Managers Association has estimated disposal and resurfacing costs to be $6.50 to $7.80 for every square foot of turf. New Yorkers For Parks estimated that disposal alone could cost $1.75 to $2.25 per square foot.

References

• Synthetic Turf Council Companies
• TTIIonline: End-of-Life Disposal Solutions

Resources

• Selling Old AstroTurf
• AstroTurf: Green Technology
• Removing Carpet Glue
• Synthetic Turf Council: Technical Guidelines