The Environmental Impact of Artificial Grass: Is it the Right Choice for Your Outdoor Space?
Read Time: 20 mins
Introduction
Credit for images used in montage given with permission from respective owners. Full details provided in the References section.
In the last 20 years, there has been an exponential increase in the use of artificial grass in sports settings, and its use has also rapidly taken off in residential settings [1]. With 11% of the British public having already replaced their lawn with artificial grass and a further 10% planning to do so [2], the swap is clearly an appealing concept.
Artificial grass is often marketed as ‘environmentally friendly’, however, conflicting opinions exist regarding its true impact. Recently, the British Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has called for proof that artificial turf does not harm the environment throughout its life cycle before it can be promoted as eco-friendly [3]. This raises an important question: is artificial turf truly sustainable, and should it be in our gardens?
The UK has experienced a significant loss of biodiversity and, as a result, is considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth [4]. Urbanisation is a significant driver of this biodiversity loss, as it contributes to habitat fragmentation, modification, and reduced connectivity between green spaces. As a result, studies have found that urban areas generally have lower species richness and evenness, particularly for birds and mammals [5].
Despite this, urban areas have significant potential for biodiversity recovery. Urban green spaces provide crucial habitats for pollinators, birds, and invertebrates, forming networks that support ecological resilience [5,6]. You may feel that your UK garden is not particularly large, and therefore you may not think that it is important, but the sum of all gardens contributes substantially to green space resource [7]. Lawns make up an estimated 70-75% of these urban green spaces [8] and work, on their own and as part of a network, to form spaces and corridors that wildlife can navigate [7].
Resource Aims
I am a student at The University of Manchester, and for my final year project, I have created this website to help homeowners explore the environmental impact of artificial grass. By engaging with this resource throughout, answering quizzes at the start and the end, my goal is to give you the knowledge to feel confident in making your decision about whether artificial turf is appropriate for your outdoor space.
Types of Artificial Grass Used in Homes
Artificial turf is an alternative to natural grass [1], made of plastic: polyethylene and/or polypropylene synthetic grass fibres of varying lengths which are turfed into a backing layer made from polyurethane or latex. Underneath, a layer of fine sand and crushed rock forms the subbase and drainage system [9,10]. On sports pitches, the grass fibre layer contains recycled tyre infill for shock absorption, however, artificial grass in residential settings tends not to contain the infill [11].
There are many different types of artificial grass on the market and many criteria to consider when purchasing. Forever Green Lawns recommends purchasing a product with a mix of polypropylene and polyethylene as this is durable, realistic, and dense. Additionally, pile height is an important consideration, 35mm pile height provides a soft-to-touch, natural-looking garden, but 30mm pile height is suited for frequent use environments, and pets [12]. Manufacturers also recommend purchasing the highest quality lawn possible to ensure its longevity.
Fig 1: Cross-section of Artificial Grass
Image created in https://BioRender.com
Quiz No 1.
This section aims to gather insights into public opinion and awareness of the environmental challenges associated with artificial grass. Similar questions will be asked again at the bottom of this website to assess whether this resource has improved your understanding of artificial grass and whether it may have influenced your feelings and likelihood of buying artificial grass for your own home. If you are using a mobile device, this will open in another window, please return to this window once finished.
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Life Cycle
When considering the environmental sustainability of artificial grass, it is important to consider its entire life cycle, not just the time it will be in your garden. Therefore, we need to acknowledge the environmental costs associated with its production, including raw materials and manufacture all the way through to its end-of-life disposal.
Fig 2: Life Cycle Stages of Artificial Grass
Image created using Canva
Raw Materials and Manufacture
The production of artificial grass is energy intensive and relies on fossil fuels throughout. Petrol based plastic is melted down into thread structures which are twisted into the desired texture and stitched into a backing material to form the sheet of artificial grass. It is then rolled into bundles, packaged and delivered to the site. The garden is excavated, levelled and a drainage system is prepared before the artificial grass is rolled out and secured. Detailed Process The manufacture of artificial grass begins by melting and blending small polyethylene/ polypropylene pellets together with colorants and UV-resistant additives to ensure that the plastic produced is durable and does not fade over time. The mixture is melted under intense heat and pressure, forming a molten, viscous substance. The molten material is stretched into thread-like structures and cooled to stabilise. The thin fibre strands are twisted into yarn, and this is the stage at which you can adjust the texture and durability of the grass. Twisted fibres are stitched into a plastic backing using tufting machines to create the sheet of grass like texture. Then the backing is coated with polyurethane to bond the fibres securely and improve drainage. The artificial grass is trimmed, inspected, rolled into tight bundles, and packaged in plastic to preserve quality. Rolls of artificial grass, and installation components, are loaded onto medium-sized distribution trucks for delivery to residential gardens. It is important to note that transport distances can vary significantly, which increases the carbon footprint of the product. Upon arrival at the installation site, the terrain is excavated, levelled, and a subbase is built with layers of crushed rock, sand, and drainage systems. The artificial turf mats are unrolled, aligned, and secured using adhesives or fasteners [10,13]. It is clear that the production of artificial turf is very energy intensive, uses fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gases. Therefore, in order to mitigate these environmental drawbacks, companies are now exploring the use of renewable energy sources in the manufacturing process to make its production more sustainable [14]. However, until this happens, every square meter of artificial grass will continue to contribute to emissions – whereas natural grass in its place would actively absorb CO₂.
Maintenance and Lifetime Impacts
Artificial grass requires less maintenance than a traditional lawn, eliminating the need for a lawn mower (which produces greenhouse gas emissions), and fertilisers and pesticides which can have negative knock-on impacts on soil health, water quality and local biodiversity. Instead, all that is generally required is brushing to remove surface debris and ensure that the grass blades are in an upright position. It may also be necessary to clean off other contaminants using chemicals and water. Detailed information For many homeowners, the primary draw to artificial grass is its low maintenance – yes, that does mean you can retire your lawn mower. And as a consequence of the reduced mowing, less greenhouse gas is released from machinery compared to the maintenance of a natural lawn [1]. Instead, the lawn is brushed to remove the surface debris and control moss, algae, and weeds [15]. Another bonus is that artificial grass does not require use of pesticides [10], but weeds can still emerge where they shouldn’t, which can require treatment [16]. It also may require deep cleaning which can involve using harsh chemicals to remove inorganic contaminants (think chewing gum, tobacco, oil) and organic contaminants (think vomit, saliva and animal droppings) [15], which undermines its ‘hassle-free’ reputation [16].
Disposal
Nothing lasts forever. Even with regular maintenance, there will come a time when your artificial grass needs to be disposed of – typicially within 5-10 years [1]. In the UK, disposal and recycling of artificial grass is subject to strict waste management regulations, and there are only a handful of initiatives which promote sustainable recycling of artificial grass. Detailed Information Artificial grass begins to degrade relatively quickly due to mechanical wear and environmental exposure [9,10,16]. Over time, organic matter like moss and algae can accumulate, which can cause surface wear and drainage issues [17]. Even with regular maintenance, at a certain point, disposal is necessary. End-of-life disposal of artificial turf presents significant challenges due to the complexity of recycling multi-material systems that are difficult to seperate and recycle [14]. While the UK has strict waste regulations, there are few initiatives aiming to promote its recycling, but they are limited by high costs and the need for specialised facilities [14]. As a result, it is common for artificial turf to instead be put into landfill or incinerated, which raises concerns about emissions of harmful substances like heavy metals and PAHs which may have been used in the manufacture process of the green plastic fibres [11].
Image courtesy of Jose Hernandez-Uribe on Unsplash
Fig 3: Artificial Grass in a Residential Setting
Other Considerations
The next section explores the environmental impacts that artificial turf has when it is in your garden.
Microplastics
Perhaps the most important environmental concern relating to artificial grass is its release of microplastics.
Microplastics are small plastic particles less than five millimetres in size [18]. An increasing body of research publications documents their harmful effects on plant, animal, and human life, with long-term effects that are not yet fully understood. Given their increasing prevalence in all environments, we must do what we can to reduce the release of microplastics [19].
Microplastics are released from artificial grass lawns through the degradation of the plastic fibres over time [18]. So much so, that artificial grass is the second-greatest detectable microplastic source in water after roads (released from car tyres) [21].
Fibres degrade due to UV exposure, general wear and tear, maintenance, and extreme weather and release microplastics [9,17,20,21]. Particles can be spread by wind dispersion [21], but most commonly, rainwater run-off and drainage systems transport the microplastics into rivers and oceans [9]. Once released, microplastics can persist in aquatic systems, where they are transported, deposited, and accumulate in areas far from their sources [9]. Furthermore, microplastics can bioaccumulate in fish and seafood, and enter the human food chain, which raises long-term health concerns [19].
Microplastics have been found to accumulate in various human tissues, organs and bodily fluids and can move throughout the body and potentially disrupt biological functions. Initial lab studies suggest links between microplastics and inflammation, immune responses, and DNA damage, though the true impact on health remains unclear. These effects raise serious concerns for human health, particularly in children who are likely to come into direct contact with artificial grass. More research is required to confirm links to specific diseases, but with this current evidence, it is clear that we must prioritise a drastic reduction in the release of microplastics [22].
If they don’t enter a water source, microplastics can accumulate in the soil, where they are absorbed by plants. Recent research has found that microplastics reduce the ability of plants to photosynthesise, therefore, stunting their growth. The study estimates that between 4% and 14% of the world’s staple crops may be lost due to microplastics, which has the potential to be a major food security issue [23].
As we have seen, microplastics pose a serious threat to the environment, therefore we urgently need to reduce the amount of microplastics that are produced and released into the environment [22, 24]. Artificial grass is an avoidable contributor to this growing crisis and, therefore, should be reconsidered.
Alternatives to Artificial Grass
Aside from artificial grass, there are several other ways to achieve a low-maintenance garden [33,34]. This next section will take you through some alternative options to artificial grass which are suitable for the UK climate.
Being the first on your street to change from a traditional lawn to a lawn alternative which better reflects the environment and promotes biodiversity can feel alien [33]. A Canadian study estimated that less than 2% of family homes were classified as having lawn alternatives. But if you live on a narrow street, have a small garden, or just want to better reflect your natural surroundings, you may be more inclined to have an alternative garden [35].
Common lawn alternatives include:
Natural Grass
Image courtesy of Photo by Pankaj Shah on Unsplash
Of course, the most obvious alternative to artificial grass is natural grass, which is the most common garden type in Britain. However, they support a low level of biodiversity and require substantial additional inputs to maintain, such as mowing which involves labour and mower emissions [37].
Groundcovers
Image courtesy of Wix.
Low-growing plants like clover, moss, and creeping thyme that thrive with minimal watering and mowing. They are perfect for shaded or damp areas and provide lush, low-maintenance greenery [14].
Meadow Planting
Image courtesy of Joel Holland on Unsplash
The lawn is replaced with a mixture of native grasses and wildflowers that support local wildlife, especially pollinators, and create a natural aesthetic. They have a low management intensity, and a reduced need for synthetic chemicals and excessive water use [38].
Hardscaping
Image courtesy of Studio Nas Tuinontwerp. Used with permission. https://www.nastuinontwerp.nl
This involves removing the lawn and replacing it with a hard surface which could include stone, pavers, gravel, mulch or decking, adding structure and utility to garden areas [14].
Clover Lawn
Image courtesy of Wix
Swapping a grass lawn for a clover lawn creates a low-maintenance, eco-friendly alternative that naturally fertilizes the soil by fixing nitrogen and stays lush and green with minimal water. It also adds a unique, soft texture to the landscape [14].
Grass-free Lawns
Image courtesy of Caro Rue on Unsplash
Similar to a clover lawn but is made up of a polyculture of diverse, low-growing plants instead of a monoculture of grass or clover. This approach increases plant diversity, supports insect and animal life, and has reduced maintenance. Native British species are likely to be best suited for UK conditions, and proper plant selection and establishment timing are essential for success [36]..
These alternatives surpass artificial turf in terms of its environmental benefits and maintenance. Natural plantings, including meadows, promote biodiversity and reduce water usage [14]. Incorporating one of these methods also offers a much more beautiful and interesting garden with diverse textures.
Concluding Thoughts:
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Overall, artificial grass is not as green as it might seem. There are environmental concerns during the manufacturing and disposal processes, including emitting greenhouse gases and contributing to pollution. Throughout its lifespan, it continues to have negative impacts on the environment, perhaps most importantly through the leeching of toxic compounds and microplastics.
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Despite requiring less maintenance and irrigation compared to natural grass, these minor conveniences are overshadowed by its other significant environmental costs. In the UK, where water scarcity is not currently a major issue, the argument that artificial grass is an ‘environmentally friendly’ choice simply does not hold up. Therefore, artificial grass is not a sustainable solution for urban spaces.
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Fortunately, there are plenty of low-maintenance alternative options to having artificial grass in your garden. These include meadow plantings, clover lawns, and groundcovers, which have a more positive impact on local biodiversity than grass lawns!
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Quiz No 2.
With this final quiz, it is now up to you to decide whether artificial grass would be appropriate in your garden. If you are using a mobile device, this will open in another window, please return to this window once finished.
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Comments:
Feel free to leave any comments about the usefulness of this resource and any questions you may have after completing.
References:
Title Background Image Credits: From left to right, top row first: Photo by Jose Hernandez-Uribe on Unsplash, Photo by Pankaj Shah on Unsplash, Image courtesy of Homestead and Chill (used with permission, homesteadandchill.com), Image courtesy of Studio Nas Tuinontwerp (used with permission, nastuinontwerp.nl), Photo by Look Up Look Down Photography on Unsplash, Image courtesy of Studio Nas Tuinontwerp (used with permission, nastuinontwerp.nl), and Photo by Caro Rue on Unsplash. Note: Credits for individual images used throughout the website are provided directly beneath each image. 1.Russo C, Cappelletti GM, Nicoletti GM. The product environmental footprint approach to compare the environmental performances of artificial and natural turf. Environmental impact assessment review. 2022;95:106800. 2.Aviva. Number of UK homes with artificial lawns expected to grow. Aviva Newsroom [Internet]. 2024 May 7 [cited 4 Mar 2025]. 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