As grass people, we’re clearly not big fans of fake grass. Not only is growing gorgeously green lawns our business but we enjoy nature – spending time outdoors, sowing seeds and watching things grow. In recent years, the popularity of artificial grass has peaked with homeowners looking to bypass lawn treatments in favour of plastic products. Just this week it was also reported that eco attraction, Eden Project, had installed plastic turf within its children’s play area. With this trend showing no signs of slowing down, even within spaces dedicated to preserving nature, it must be asked – what impact does plastic grass have on the environment?
Not so maintenance free
The growing fashion of artificial grass is largely centred around its maintenance-free appeal, but contrary to popular belief, it does take some looking after. The grass pile needs to be swept regularly, weeds still creep through, and pet urine can cause bad smells. More damagingly however, the plastic within the products does eventually break down, which releases microplastics into the environment that are thought to be harmful to humans. Fake grass can also encourage urban flood risk because rainfall cannot drain away into the soil.
Environmental concerns
Despite this, artificial grass manufacturers continue to make loud environmental claims about their products which, when we dig a little deeper, don’t always stack up. One plastic grass product is said to be capable of purifying air pollution by oxidising organic components, however real grass already cleans the air via photosynthesis. Natural grass also provides habitats for insects and worms, attracts birds that feed on invertebrates, and helps rainwater drain away – all of which artificial products cannot do. A gardener for a new home developer has also said when he removes artificial lawns the mess is often horrendous. It smells unpleasant and when the plastic grass is lifted up, you’re greeted by a sea of dead worms.
Is it worth it?
Perhaps more importantly, it’s worth remembering that artificial lawns may meet the cultural requirement of a “good lawn”, but they do so at the expense of nature and the preservation of insect habitats and biodiversity. It’s a shame to see places such as Eden Project using these types of products, particularly when they exist as a space dedicated to building a relationship between people and the natural world. Amazing results can be achieved with natural grass and gardens should exist to support nature and biodiversity, which is something we at Sycamore feel very passionate about.