Artificial grass and what damage can be caused to the environment as well as rules within the EU for the use of artificial grass in public places?
Artificial grass, also known as synthetic turf, has become a popular alternative to natural grass in recent years due to its low maintenance and water-saving properties. However, the production and disposal of artificial grass can have negative impacts on the environment.
One of the main environmental concerns with artificial grass is the use of non-biodegradable materials in its production, such as petroleum-based plastics. These materials can take hundreds of years to decompose, leading to long-term pollution of the environment. Additionally, the production of artificial grass can require significant amounts of energy, further contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
In terms of regulations, the European Union (EU) has established rules regarding the use of artificial grass in public places. The EU REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulates the use of chemicals in the production of products, including artificial turf. The EU also has regulations regarding waste management and disposal, which can apply to the disposal of artificial grass.
Furthermore, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published guidelines on the use of chemicals in artificial turf, including restrictions on certain substances. The guidelines aim to ensure that the use of artificial grass does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.
Overall, while artificial grass can provide benefits in terms of water conservation and low maintenance, its production and disposal can have negative impacts on the environment. Regulations exist in the EU to ensure that the use of artificial turf is safe and sustainable, but it is important to consider the potential environmental impacts before deciding to install artificial grass.
However, many problems arise within football clubs, which are forced to follow the football associations, which set demands for natural grass in higher leagues. At the same time, training on these football pitches is not allowed, more than in a limited form. Therefore, artificial grass is installed in many new clubs, to be able to use for training sessions for all categories of teams, such as ladies and girls, as well as youth. The answer to this should be new rules regarding drainage and filtration of the water used and its reuse system. Hope that this can be decided internationally within FIFA shortly.
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