Is artificial grass an eco-friendly choice?

Plastic grass.

We agree, it doesn’t sound very eco-friendly.

After all, when the world is telling you to cut back on all things plastic, you’d be forgiven for questioning whether artificial turf is a backward step. But the good news is – it’s not!

On the contrary, it can be a great way to boost your garden’s eco-credentials.

Some concerns have been raised, particularly regarding its impact on the natural flow of water and microplastic pollution. However, a recent study has cast doubt on these concerns. And in many ways, a fake lawn can actually be much kinder to the planet than its natural counterpart.

If you’re eager to spruce up your outdoor space in time for the summer – whilst also shrinking your carbon footprint – going plastic could be a fantastic ‘green’ choice.

 

3 environmental benefits of fake grass

 

1. It saves water

Water supplies in the UK are already under pressure due to climate change, especially in drought-prone regions – and the issue is only expected to get worse. As a highly valuable yet limited resource, it’s something we should all be attempting to conserve – and artificial grass can help with that.

Unlike real turf, it doesn’t need water to grow or stay green and healthy.

It just needs to be hosed down once in a while to get rid of dust or dirt. Which means, you can significantly cut down your water wastage and potentially reduce your bill in the process.

 

2. It reduces carbon emissions

You’re thinking ‘How? It doesn’t remove CO₂ from the air like natural grass does?’.

No, it doesn’t. And unfortunately, carbon emissions are involved in both the making and transportation of an artificial lawn. But once it’s been installed, its carbon output is zero. It’ll look and feel good for many years, without the need for any gas-guzzling maintenance equipment.

Garden power tools – such as lawnmowers, strimmers, scarifiers etc. – all use excessive amounts of fuel and electricity. In fact, they make up 8% of our contribution to global warming. And just one hour of petrol-powered lawn mowing can produce as much pollution as driving for 4 hours!

It may be unable to convert CO₂, but in the long run, fake grass can help to reduce emissions.

 

3. It doesn’t need toxic chemicals

To keep natural turf looking its best, unnatural chemicals are often required.

Fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemical-heavy products all tend to be used on a regular basis. Not only are these energy-intensive to manufacture, but most also release a large amount of nitrous oxide into the atmosphere – i.e. a greenhouse gas with around 300 times the heat-trapping ability of CO₂.

Faux grass, meanwhile, eliminates the need for these toxic products.

It’s naturally pest-aversive and will retain its attractive green finish, without any chemical-based upkeep.

 

 

 

 

Look at the bigger picture

At face value, plastic grass may not seem like an obvious eco-friendly choice.

But it’s not just about how and what it’s made from – the ongoing impact of your chosen lawn is an important consideration too. And it’s here that artificial turf really comes into its own.

Real grass may be able to last a lifetime, but not without constant attention and maintenance. In this instance, by going ‘natural’, you could be prescribing to lifelong use of excessive amounts of water, power tools and pesticides. Things that are all highly detrimental to the environment.

On the flip side, artificial grass not only looks the part – but requires virtually no maintenance and firmly ticks the box for being a ‘green’ choice, offering many environmental benefits in the long term.

Which is part of the reason why – unlike the grass itself – it’s a trend that’s growing in UK gardens.

 

Give your garden ‘green’ credentials

Feeling persuaded? Why not take a look at the great range of high-quality fake grass available in our store?

 

 

Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we offer a diverse selection of artificial turf products, including both standard short-pile and luxurious multi-fleck lawns in a variety of thicknesses. The best artificial grass for you will depend on the look you’d like to achieve. But ranging from £19.99 to £49.99 per 2x2m², we have something to suit most budgets.

We also stock artificial grass underlay – an essential purchase for all fake turf projects.

Our current recommendation is Soft Turf Artificial Grass Shock Pad – priced at £63.50. Made from enhanced memory foam, this can be fitted on both soft and hard surfaces (i.e. soil, patios, decking). And not only will it significantly enhance the look and feel of your artificial lawn, it will protect against day-to-day wear and tear – and could potentially extend its lifespan by up to 50% or more.

If you’re still questioning the eco-friendliness of artificial grass, or perhaps have a question about a product in our collection, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always on hand and happy to help with your enquiries. Either give us a call on 0203 887 0994 or, if you prefer, send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

 

 

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