Canarm
Canarm CORIN LED Black Outdoor Light
Make a lasting impression with your outdoor lighting in both style and illumination with the CORIN LED outdoor wall light. The CORIN wall light has made it e...
$135
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What Is Artificial Grass?
The first widely recognized use of artificial grass was in 1966 when the Houston Astros baseball team installed artificial grass in their indoor stadium after several failed attempts to grow grass. Today, artificial grass or turf refers to a material made of synthetic, manufactured fibers, made to look like natural grass. The individual fibers of the turf are typically made from a blend of materials, including nylon, polypropylene, or polyethylene, that are then connected to a backing material. In some applications, a base material is added between the fibers. The backing material stabilizes and cushions the artificial turf's area.
It is important to note that natural grasslands and prairies can act as a carbon "sink." They essentially capture excess amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and deposit that carbon in the fertile soil. Indeed, most lawns do not boast the carbon capturing potential of natural prairies. But, turning your yard into a "prairie garden" could be another strategy that allows homeowners to do their part to sequester carbon.
Is Artificial Grass Healthy?
A drawback associated with artificial grass is that there are several health concerns related to these products. Many turf products come pre-treated with biocides. This step is taken because some studies have found that synthetic turf has been associated with an increased risk of infections from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Recent laboratory tests carried about by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) find that many turf products contain the highly toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that exposure to PFAS has a host of health effects associated, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease. That's not exactly what you want in the areas where your children play.
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How Long Does Artificial Grass Last?
Most artificial turf companies will offer a standard warranty of between 2 and 8 years. In general, homeowners can expect the higher quality grass products to last between 10 to 15 years, depending on the use. Though some manufacturers claim that artificial turf is recyclable, many local recycling operations will not take artificial grass. This issue has led to large volumes of artificial grass is being sent to landfills. According to one recent investigative report, "used artificial turf is expected to produce 1 million to 4 million tons of waste in the next 10 years, and it has nowhere to go, according to solid waste industry analysts."
Besides having a vast embodied energy footprint, artificial grass also essentially eliminates the biophilic benefits of spending time outdoors. Moreover, there are several serious health concerns related to artificial turf products that homeowners should consider. If you decide that artificial grass is the best option for your home, we recommend looking for products made from bio-based fibers. And also, it might not hurt to leave some space for some natural plants as well!
Rise Writer
Expert. Practical. Sustainable.
Article by
Tobias Roberts
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.
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