Can we recycle an artificial turf field? Not easily.

The number of synthetic turf fields has been growing steadily for over a decade. Estimates vary somewhat, one source estimated that about 1,500 fields are being installed across the U.S. during 2015, with replacement projects accounting for 750 of these. Artificial turf crumb rubber infill uses 3-5% of the waste tires generated in a year. It is important for is to consider what options are available for end of life (8-12 years) use for artificial turf components.

Since crumb rubber infill is a recycled product lets first take a look at waste tire recycling industry. According to Rubber Manufacturers Association, 290 million scrap tires were generated in 2003, (that number is probably much higher today) and while 233 million go to a market each year, 265 million tires remain in stockpiles .

Crumb rubber products accounted for more than 10% of used tire market but may be declining. A California Waste Tire Market Report: 2018 notes two trends that are serving to reduce the amount of crumb rubber used in the artificial turf industry. "First, several years of persistent media reports related to perceived environmental health and safety issues have prompted the industry to explore alternative infill materials. Crumb rubber and sand mixtures are still the most commonly used type of infill, but industry representatives say this infill product is losing market share to alternatives such as cork, coconut hulls, or other organic infill materials, or EPDM rubber. In California, it appears that alternative infill materials have gained more market share than in the rest of the country. Based on a range of industry perspectives, it is estimated that between 20 and 40% of new turf fields in California were not constructed with crumb rubber infill mixtures in 2018. Historically, 100% percent of turf fields were constructed with crumb rubber."

Artificial turf is comprised of a variety of components: crumb rubber infill, shock pad, grass carpet, sand, among other materials. Louis Berger notes, in a report in 2016 about recycling and reuse of crumb rubber in California, that while there are options for recycling artificial turf field components many barriers exist. It also appears that in practice landfill disposal is by far the most common method for managing field components after removal, and no complete examples of an actual recycling project for the components of a removed field in California were identified. Berger also states, that one leading company involved in synthetic turf athletic field deconstruction indicates that they currently dispose 75 percent of the material in landfill, and are able to reuse 25 to 50 percent of crumb rubber infill in new/replacement fields. Reuse is limited to select projects where economics are relatively attractive (especially where landfill costs are high) or in which the field owner specifically elects to pay more to cover higher recycling/reuse costs.

Barriers to recycling:

• Recycling crumb rubber infill is usually much more costly than disposal due to the comparatively high cost of separating and cleaning infill and turf materials, and transportation to processors and end-users.

• Certain characteristics of recovered crumb rubber infill may be degraded compared to new crumb rubber, but it still performs well in new/replacement infill installations. Reuse is greatly facilitated when the same firm that originally installed the field is replacing it, so that material specifications are the same or similar.

• Markets for recycled crumb rubber infill are extremely limited. The market that appears to have success is reusing a portion of the material in new/replacement synthetic turf athletic field installations. Other uses may have potential but would require additional material processing and market development efforts.

• Field owners and developers lack information on synthetic turf athletic field recycling options and processes.

FIFA, Environmental Impact Study on Artificial Turf, 2017, states: "It is clear from the research that recycling of artificial football turf is not widespread. The majority of the manufacturers interviewed for this study claimed their products are ‘recyclable’, but none are taking significant steps to make sure this happens in practice. Technologies to remove, separate and clean the main components of the turf are still being perfected and at the moment the best processes are still ‘open-loop’. A full ‘closed-loop’ process is yet to be developed and this will certainly require more support from the turf manufactures to implement.The close proximity to the recycling facility and the proliferation of (expensive) incineration means that there is very little justification for pitches located in Western Europe to not be recycled. In other parts of the world where the disposal of waste is far less strict (and therefore cheaper), and the long distance to recycling facilities adds to the cost, it is less likely that pitches will be recycled."

According to the Synthetic Turf Council, when compared to the $30,000 to $60,000 cost of landfilling an 80,000 square-foot sports field, it is unlikely that the cost of transporting the synthetic turf and/or infill farther than 200 miles could be considered feasible.

Synthetic Turf Council, see their report here, recognizing the importance of recycling, are working on options. They note recycling options vary by product, location and market. It is also important to consider that burning crumb rubber in a waste-to-energy plant is considered recycling.

More reports on turf recycling:

Major new fears emerge over absence of recycling plan

The artificial turf mountain

FIFA