Plastic grass, also known as artificial turf, has rapidly grown in popularity as a low-maintenance and hassle-free alternative to natural grass. It requires no water, fertilizers, or mowing, making it a practical solution in areas with scarce water resources or harsh weather conditions. However, as with any human-made product, plastic grass is not without its drawbacks. Some argue that its production, disposal, and potential health risks outweigh its benefits, making it a potential menace to the environment. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of plastic grass and its impact on the environment.
Artificial Grass: The Environmental and Biodiversity Impact
Artificial grass is becoming increasingly popular across Ireland, offering a low-maintenance, fuss-free, and durable option for lawns. With plastic grass specialists nationwide and retail options such as Co-Op Superstores, Homestore & More, and Woodies offering grass tiles or rolls of artificial grass for DIY installation, the use of plastic alternatives to natural lawns is on the rise. However, as concerns around biodiversity loss and climate change continue to be at the forefront of discussions within Irish society, the use of plastic grass is coming under scrutiny.
Bloom, Ireland’s largest garden festival, has actively discouraged exhibitors from using the plastic alternative and has even gone as far as to ban it altogether. Last year, some visitors and environmental experts expressed disappointment upon seeing plastic grass on display. This year, there will not be a single artificial grass provider registered to exhibit at the festival as event organizers encourage garden designers to incorporate natural, sustainably produced plants and grass in their designs.
The Royal Horticultural Society in Britain, which hosts the Chelsea Flower Show, has also banned the use of artificial turf from its events citing the damaging effect on the environment. Expert opinions on the use of plastic grass have been overwhelmingly negative with calls to ban its use outright or subject it to prohibitive tax. Synthetic plants are made of petroleum and fossil fuels, which damage soils, insects, birds, mammals, and plant life.
The convenience offered by synthetic lawns is often cited, but their sterile appearance reflects a lack of care for the natural environment. Artificial grass does not provide food or habitat for any wildlife, whereas a natural garden, even a wildflower meadow or a native grass lawn, provides a habitat for a range of wildflowers, wildgrasses, invertebrates, and birds. There is no pressure to produce food crops in gardens, so there is no need to apply nitrogen fertilizers which create nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that has three hundred times the heating power of carbon dioxide. It is difficult to fully rinse away detergents used to clean plastic grass, which can cause contact dermatitis in pets.
Rather than relying on plastic alternatives, low-maintenance options that incorporate natural, sustainably produced plants, and grasses may better serve the interests of biodiversity and the environment. A wildflower meadow offers an excellent substitute for a traditional lawn, requiring only one or two strimming or mowing sessions per year, leaving wave upon wave of native wildflowers throughout the season. Pea gravel sown with drought-tolerant native plants is another great alternative, providing color and texture from May to October and attracting pollinators.
Given the environmental impact and the threat to biodiversity, the use of plastic grass should either be heavily regulated or banned altogether, given the damage plastics can do to the environment. In light of the Irish citizens’ assembly on biodiversity loss, it’s clear that plastic grass should become a relic of the past, replaced by more sustainable alternatives.
