Reasons to Say No to Artificial Grass
- Restricts access to the soil for wildlife, destroying habitats and feeding grounds.
- Restricts access to organic matter which is essential for healthy soil.
- Can soar to dangerously high temperatures during the summer months, making it unsafe for people and pets.
- Contributes to global warming by absorbing more radiation than real grass and by removing plants which absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.
- Has a large carbon footprint associated with manufacturing, transportation, and installation.
- Requires soil to be replaced with sand to create a foundation for artificial grass which contributes to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which was previously stored in the earth.
- Causes an increase in surface run off after rainfall which contributes to flooding and microplastic pollution.
- Very difficult to recycle which can only be done at specialist plants after a specific cleaning process.
- It is not maintenance free. It still needs to be cleaned of litter and moss growth, washed with harmful chemicals, and even hoovered!
Tip: Let your lawn grow longer to create a more naturalistic look, create habitats for nature, and reduce maintenance. Reseed your lawn with low maintenance alternatives such as wildflowers, clover, and chamomile.
Sources:
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*The information on this page has been provided by the Environment Agency.
