Artificial Grass Does Not Harm the Environment

Environment

Artificial grass is also known as synthetic grass. It is made of polyurethane fibres, finished as fine strips that look and feel like real grass and laid on durable backing material. When first introduced, it was called astro turf and with technological advance, artificial grass or fake grass has become very safe and very near to the real thing.

There are several uses for artificial grass. They are used in residential and business premises, and sport facilities artificial grass installation. They are specifically developed to reduce maintenance and cost and have no health hazard. For domestic or business use, fake grass will brighten unsightly garden space, remain safe for children and pets and feel natural to touch and look no different from natural grass. Children allergic to grass can safely play on an artificial grass surface. As for pets, any pet waste can be washed off with a garden hose and household cleaner because the draining system allows adequate soak away.

Artificial grass has been used in soccer, tennis, lacrosse and golf for some time in several countries and parks, schools, universities and recreational facilities that have synthetic grass installed, save significantly on cost and maintenance as watering and mowing are no longer necessary.

Environmentalists say fake grass is bad for the planet as grass forms part of the important cycle that converts greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide into oxygen but is that really the full story? In fact, by installing an artificial grass lawn, you are actually reducing your carbon footprint. Statistics show that mowers and other lawn machinery plus the chemicals used could cause as much as 8% of global warming. Installing fake grass lawn dramatically reduces the use of toxic chemicals, air pollution by emission, and water usage.

In USA, 98 million households use pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers. In fact, 1.2 million tons of fertilisers are used annually, 90 million pounds of herbicides and 210 million tons of pesticides. Lawn pesticides are linked to neurological problems, liver and kidney damage. It can also increase susceptibility or trigger asthma, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of cancer.

Synthetic grass was introduced in the 1960s. It was used on sport fields and the Houston Astrodome was built in 1965. Today with good research and technology, artificial grass are seen in domestic, business and recreational areas. The benefits are significant. You save time and money. You spend your spare time enjoying your lawn rather than tidying it. You no longer use toxic chemicals. You no longer need to buy and maintain expensive lawn machinery and tools. The surface is tough and durable and in all weather remains consistent. In times of drought and hose pipe bans, while your neighbour’s lawn look worn out and brown, yours will remain lush and vibrant.

Having an artificial lawn does not mean you are adding to global warming. You are reducing greenhouse gas because you no longer use a mower or other machinery, and there will be no release of methane from decomposing cut grass. This, in addition to the other benefits of having a synthetic grass lawn, is why more and more people are changing from grass and all the problems with maintenance to artificial lawn.

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