Is artificial grass bad for the environment?
Artificial grass is extremely popular these days, especially if you live in an area that has water shortage. If chosen by the right manufacturer, it can also be environmentally friendly, so if you are looking to go green, artificial grass can be the way to go. Artificial grass is also sturdy and reliable, so if you have kids or pets, it can handle the activity.
It’s also cost effective, because with all the maintenance you would have to do, you end up spending quite a bit of money per year to have that perfect green lawn. Some of those options are not environmentally friendly.
Environmental Positives for Artificial Grass
- Less water consumption
When you choose artificial grass, it means less maintenance. Less maintenance meaning less water consumption. For artificial grass Natural grass requires watering at least 3-4 times a week, which can be time consuming.
- Less chemical solutions used
Once the artificial grass is laid out on your lawn, you do not have to worry about using the traditional chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Artificial grass means you don’t have to deal with any of that, thus saving you a lot of money in the long run.
- No need for machines
For natural grass, you’ll often need lawnmowers, leaf blowers, edgers and other tools to keep the lawn maintained. With artificial grass, you do not need to do that. With that said, you’ll reduce air pollution, which is environmentally damaging and reduce your carbon footprint when you use artificial grass.
- It looks perfect
Artificial grass, especially done by a professional, that lays it down and has perfect edging (like us), usually looks perfect. Natural grass usually does have imperfections, but if you need perfect smooth grass for around your pool area or your entire back yard, you’ll want to consider the artificial grass.
But if you are still wondering how artificial grass is bad for the environment, we’ll tell you a few reasons why some of them are, so that you can be informed with your decision in the future when it comes to choosing.
Environmental negatives for Artificial Grass
- It uses mostly plastic
Most artificial grass does use plastic, which as you probably already know, is harmful to the environment. They use a large amount and as you know, plastic isn’t always recyclable, so it’s considered a waste, which is not good for the environment. There are, however, some eco friendly artificial grass that does use environmentally friendly options that helps make it recyclable. (Vertedge artificial grass edging system is 100% recyclable and we hope that the grass will eventually follow us)
- Kills soil life
Artificial grass does kill the soil life because it doesn’t let the natural organisms such as leaves, grass clippings etc to help nurture the soil. So if you were to try to get real grass on the ground in the future, it likely won’t grow.
As you have seen, there are pros and cons of how artificial grass actually affects the environment. While it does mean you don’t have to mow ever again or water often, it still affects the environment in negative ways.
However, if you are needing convenience and that perfect looking lawn that’ll last a long time (artificial grass lasts at least 10 years, sometimes longer depending on the maintenance), then it could be more environmentally friendly as you are not constantly replacing it, therefore reducing your carbon footprint.
