Artificial turf is used in sports facilities, gardens, schools, offices, universities and many more places because it is incredibly useful and affordable, but what do we do with it once its useful life is over?
Should we throw it away, store it somewhere else? Sure you can, but the best alternative for us and our planet is to recycle it.
Even if you don’t feel like recycling all of your artificial turf, there are other uses you can put it to even after its useful life is over.
Today we tell you all about recycling and reusing this material and how you can do it.
How can artificial turf be recycled?
Many people do not know that all the meters they have of artificial turf can be recycled. The reason is that most of the time they don’t know what they are made of and, after many years, when it needs to be replaced, they don’t know what to do with it.
Luckily for us and our planet, we can recycle artificial turf. For the most part they are all made of polypropylene, polyethylene and nylon. All three of these materials are recyclable.
The thing about those materials is that, although they are fully recyclable, they still need to be carefully separated (in fact, like many other plastic accessories).
This separation was not possible a few years ago, but many recycling centers are keeping abreast of how the industry is advancing, and have developed technology that allows them to do so.
Of course, this is not a cheap process, but there is increasing pressure on companies to recycle more, so no more throwing our old lawns away .
What essentially makes artificial turf a sustainable option is that you don’t need to mow it or water it, but now you can also send it to a recycling center and give it a second life. And on top of that, it lasts more than 7 years, many more depending on the type of grass you choose.
New objects can be made from used artificial turf, however, we cannot yet make new artificial turf from old artificial turf. But who knows, maybe in the near future we can send our old artificial turf for recycling and, in a few weeks, have it back completely new.
The recycling process basically consists of separating the materials and then moving on to the repelletization process, which consists of cutting the plastics by type, cleaning them, melting them down and transforming them into a number of different new things.
So what do I have to do? Simply take your used artificial turf to the nearest recycling center and let them take care of everything.
Make sure that you hand it over to a duly authorized plastics manager. The list of authorized managers is public information and can usually be found on the websites of the autonomous communities.
If you want to give a different use to your old artificial turf, it can still be reused for other things. We tell you some of these uses but, first, we explain how to know if your lawn is ready to change or not.
How do I know if my artificial turf is ready to be replaced?
Before you think about replacing the artificial turf you have at home or in the office, you should make sure that its useful life is over.
They usually last more than 7 years, up to 10 or even 15 years, depending on quality, climate and care conditions. So until then, there is really no need to worry about it.
If, for example, you’re buying a new home that has artificial turf, we recommend that you ask the previous owner how long it’s been there, but if you can’t find this information or if you’re really concerned about when to change your lawn, here’s how you’ll know it’s up for change.
First of all, artificial turf should look like natural grass in its splendor, if the grass is not green and some of it is slowly fading or has lost color, it is time to change it.
Secondly, artificial turf does not smell, but if yours smells musty, or has any kind of strange odor, it is a sign that something is not working properly and, more often than not, the problem is usually that it is too old.
If you walk on it and it feels rough, it’s time to change it. Artificial turf is soft, like natural grass, and should not be uncomfortable to walk on.
So, if you’ve already checked out all of those options and any of them are yes, it’s time to replace your artificial turf. But if you can’t find a recycling center nearby, or if you want to give it a second chance, there are a few things you can do.
However, keep in mind that reusing your old lawn is not a form of recycling, it just delays its disposal. In a way, yes, you are helping the environment, but at some point you will have to make the trip to the recycling center or call them and ask for a truck to take it there.
Different uses for your old artificial turf
Here are some of the second uses you can put your old artificial turf to:
– You can put it on the floor of your garage, at least a part of it.
– Adapt your pet’s house, grass can be put on top of the sealing, or inside to make him feel comfortable. Just make sure the grass doesn’t smell bad, it’s okay if it’s a little old or discolored, but weird smells mixed with your dog’s or cat’s can be terrible.
– If you have a part of your yard with natural grass that is torn up by your pet, you can cover it with some of the old artificial turf and place some decorations on top to camouflage the damage.
– You can cut out shapes and write messages or make it into a specific shape (for example, your school, university or company logo) to decorate spaces.
– You can donate it to art centers, they have creative artists who can transform it into artistic pieces.
– Or cut it into small pieces and rub it with catnip, the cats will scratch it and play with it, and since you’ll have a few yards, you’re sure to save a lot of money on cat toys.
The second uses you can give to your old artificial turf are many, it’s up to you how to use it in the best way. But remember, if you really have the opportunity to recycle it, do it. It will always be the most sustainable option .
