Science and technology have brought us so many wonderful advancements in recent years. We can now enjoy artificial grass that is light years ahead of its original version, in both appearance and performance. There are numerous different styles of fake grass for every type of landscaping or play application. And the top quality FieldTurf products you get from Heavenly Greens are 100% recyclable.
That means artificial turf continues to be the sustainable choice, even after you no longer own it. Of course you won’t have to worry about recycling any time soon. Superior quality faux grass products last many years – close to two decades in some cases. But it won’t last forever. Besides, life changes. Ten or 15 years from now you may want to remodel your landscaping anyway.
Rest assured, you can recycle your artificial turf when the time comes
We all know that recycling involves melting or grinding down existing plastics, glass, etc. to create new “raw” ingredients from which new products are manufactured. And anyone who participates in curbside recycling or takes items to a recycling center knows that the key to success is separation. If you lump unlike items together, they cannot be efficiently reduced and made into something new.
The need for separation makes it a bit tougher to recycle artificial turf, because as installed, your turf is actually two very different things – the plastic/polymer based blades and matting, and the sand and/or rubber infill material. However, smart scientists have found a way to overcome this challenge.
Recycled faux grass takes on new life in many different types of products, including some you would never guess. It is used as a top dressing for natural grass, blended into road base, and formed into linings for highway barrels. It is made into school bags and T-shirts. Heck, some day you might be wearing your own former artificial grass!
You can repurpose as well as recycle
Even when your artificial grass has lived out its original life as your lawn or a ball field, there are ways to reuse the turf rather than sending it away to be recycled into something completely different. For example, commercially, artificial grass is sometimes repurposed as flooring in batting cages or as barn mats.
And in some places, repurposed artificial turf is used for ground cover in dog runs at animal shelters or dog parks, or at driving ranges. Frankly, we don’t recommend that. It may be OK as a temporary measure, but new product, properly installed, will perform far better and last far longer. And it will certainly look better. That matters when you’re trying to impress customers.
At home, you could put a section of your used fake grass under your car in the garage. Or on the floor of your storage shed. Or use it to “green” up your pets’ outdoor spaces.
You can get even more creative, too. One of the things we love about fake grass is all the unusual things you can do with it. We’ve talked in previous blogs about what you can do with artificial turf around the house and at your business. Some of these fun ideas might work just as well with repurposed fake grass.
Replacing natural grass with one of Heavenly Greens’ superior artificial turf products enhances your home’s curb appeal and livability. Faux grass is friendlier to the environment and your family’s health than natural grass. And, thanks to recycling or repurposing, it maintains its sustainable character even after you’re ready to move on.
