No. 1 in recycling synthetic Turf
Some countries grow rapidly from a low base, for instance South Africa and Australia, while other countries have been using turf for decades, have a huge installed base and continue to grow unabated.
The industry is playing catch-up to an exponentially increasing threat as it tries to address issues relating to removal, reclamation and recycling worn out turf.
Several challenges exist, one being the sustainable issue and the spiraling cost of disposal, the other the marketing aspect, as it relates to the brand/image of the industry. An industry that cannot manage it’s own waste stream will be seen as a potential liability, rather than an attractive investment opportunity into sports facilities.
Several challenges exist, one being the sustainable issue and the spiraling cost of disposal, the other the marketing aspect, as it relates to the brand/image of the industry. An industry that cannot manage it’s own waste stream will be seen as a potential liability, rather than an attractive investment opportunity into sports facilities.
The cost to landfill worn out synthetic turf continues to increase and although incineration brings about good energy recovery, each standard turf soccer pitch will emit in excess of 340 tons CO2 when incinerated.
Furthermore, producing new raw materials to generate a new synthetic turf pitch will require some 80 tons of CO2.
In other words, some 3.8 million tons of CO2 will be emitted by the industry in 2017, unless the industry finds a sustainable and economical way in which to remove and dispose of the 9.000 full size pitches being generated in 2017.
EU legislation does not allow for SBR infill (ground up and granulated car/truck tires) to enter landfills.
One disposal option being used today is to shake the cut carpet, as they are rolled up, removing the majority of infill. However, no amount of shaking the carpet will ever remove all infill and as long as there is rubber in the carpet, it cannot be legally landfilled.
Furthermore, the infill that has been removed from the carpet is neither clean nor suitable for re-use as infill in new pitches. Sand is mixed in with rubber and the infill material will be contaminated with unknown waste elements alongside dust and small particles that will clog up the drainage system in pitches.
This causes usage and maintenance challenges for pitch owners, alongside warranty issues, impacting the value, safety and playability of a new pitch; for its owners, users and the environment.
