Synthetic turf is one of the fastest growing green technologies, with a massive amount of environmental benefits. In this series of blog posts, we’re going to talk about how synthetic turf helps save water, reduces usage of harmful chemicals, decreases air pollution, and promotes recycling.
We recently had a guest writer post about the use of Synthetic Turf in Xeriscaping, the process of landscaping for minimal water use. A fact that stands out in that article is that according to the EPA the average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day, 30% of which is used outdoors.
In fact, according to the University of Southern Utah in arid climates it takes approximately 108,000 gallons of fresh water to maintain a 6,000sf lawn for one year! (less in more humid climates)
That’s why synthetic turf can earn LEED points towards green building certification, which is a very rigorous process.
Conservation of fresh water is an extremely important issue in almost every state nowadays, and synthetic turf is a leading solution. The ability to maintain a great looking lawn without using water is seen by many as very favorable to rock lawns or other alternatives.
Synthetic turf does require minimal water use. If it gets dirty, you’re going to need to hose it off, and if you’re going to want to have bare skin directly on it a quick spray with the hose will cool down the fibers, which can get uncomfortably hot in the direct sun. (Not hot enough to burn, but you’re going to want to lay on a towel or get it wet first.) Commercial synthetic turf applications for dogs require regular rinsing to keep clean, even with antimicrobial properties.
However, the overall great water savings of turf make it a premier solution for conserving water recognized worldwide.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg on turf’s environmental benefits though, and next time we’ll talk about the benefits of reducing chemical use and the impacts that has on our local ecosystems.
Using Synthetic Turf as a Cost-Effective Xeriscape Option