From an e-mail submitted to the County Council on the possibility of recycling artificial turf:
...I have spoken with technical representatives of the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, www.apr.org and they informed me that they are completely unaware of any company in the United States recycling syn-turf. For the very complicated reasons that I have provided. The plastics industry spent roughly $500,000 during the '90s on technical research to recycle the various plastics from automotive bumper systems. The technology to recycle syn-turf is no less complicated. Where are the research papers on the process and where were the technical trials conducted?
Unless they can provide the answers to all of these questions, its a pretty safe bet that the recycling of syn-turf is a pipedream. Which means that cities, counties and localities are going to have to pay to dispose of these massive rugs by landfilling or incinerationPipe Dream
Bailey Condrey, Jr.
Kensington, Maryland
Maybe you should have contacted someone in the synthetic turf industry to get the facts about what is being done to recycle synthetic turf today instead of the APR. There are companies that manufacture specialized machinery in the US for the removal and reclamation of synthetic turf and infill. There are companies that will take the post consumer turf, and introduce it in to other products. There are companies that will take old turf and convert it using waste to energy facilities Over 90% of the field's weight is infill and will be reclaimed and reused in the new field when installed. I think you need to do your due diligence and contact someone in the industry or the Synthetic Turf Council to get the facts.
ReplyDeleteIn Montgomery County an official with the sole source artificial turf provider is at the table for all public discussions. He has ever possible opportunity to talk about these issues.
Delete@Anonymous Mar 31, my point exactly. You say 'there are companies.'. These companies will charge an additional fee to remove the artificial turf. That is an added on cost that the AT 'work group,' if it even existed, did not calculate into their cost comparisons. By contrast, natural turf, the kind grown right here in our MoCo Ag Reserve, does not require 'proper disposal' at all. It only needs to be properly installed and maintained. I am sure there are these companies, as you say, and I can look into them and report back on this blog. Can you please provide a few names of these companies and I will follow up, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate that your sole source provider did not inform you of these issues. You, as well as all buyers should be informed of this cost up front. I would question your turf provider as to why he did not share this information with you. The synthetic turf reclamation process is very new since the 3rd generation turf that is used now was introduced to the market only 10-12 years ago. The fields are just now reaching the end of their useful life. It is possible that your provider is not aware of all the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteEven though I work in the industry, I prefer natural grass myself. Unfortunately, the economics of synthetic turf make it the best choice by far. Many community fields can get up to 12 hours per day of use 7, days a week. Natural turf just will not stand up to this amount of play time. Synthetic turf is not perfect by any stretch, but in most cases, it is the best option.
Educating the owners and architects is, or should be, high on the industry's priority list this year. Recycling of most materials is not free. As this new branch of recycling develops, processes will improve and costs will go down. Are you more concerned with recycling your field or the additional cost of replacement? Sentiments vary with different regions of the country.
Search for synthetic turf recycling or removal and you will find many answers. The Synthetic Turf Council is also a great source of information. So as not to promote any company or method, I choose not to recommend or mention any names. Please do not judge an industry on the performance of one salesman.