Fields of Waste: Artificial Turf, Touted as Recycling Fix for Millions of Scrap Tires, Becomes Mounting Disposal Mess. Article Features Investigation by Lyda Astrove of Parents' Coalition

...The turf piles grow

An EPA spokeswoman said in an email the agency “encourages the environmentally appropriate beneficial use of secondary materials, including scrap tires.” She said the agency has not studied disposal of turf fields, and has no information about where the waste ends up. That’s up to state and local governments, she said.

The problem is mounting.

The Synthetic Turf Council, the industry’s main trade group, estimates there are between 12,000 and 13,000 synthetic turf fields in the U.S., with some 1,200 to 1,500 new installations a year. The industry’s pitch is that synthetic turf saves on water and eliminates the need for pesticides, fertilizers or constant mowing. And unlike real grass, the manufactured variety is billed as a year-round surface.

But today, hundreds of fields that were installed in the mid-2000s are at or beyond their estimated eight- to 10-year life spans. Most of these early fields were made with tire crumb, also known as crumb rubber, a product that has come under intense scrutiny in recent years over fears that tiny tire fragments containing heavy metals and chemicals might be dangerous.

Now these fields are coming out – en masse. In one 2017 report, the Synthetic Turf Council projected that by the end of the decade at least 750 fields will be replaced annually. With the average field containing approximately 40,000 pounds of plastic carpet and 400,000 pounds of infill, according to the report, this means as much as 330 million pounds of waste could require disposal every year.

A parallel turf dilemma is unfolding in soccer-loving Europe. Footage from a recent Dutch documentary, by the news program Zembla, revealed a so-called “turf mountain” in the Netherlands formed by discarded playing fields, graphically illustrating the enormity of the waste problem overseas.

But one expert who was featured in the documentary said in an email to FairWarning that he believed the disposal issue is graver on this side of the ocean.

“It is definitely a MUCH bigger problem in America than in Europe,” said Dennis Andersen, owner of Re-Match, a recycling plant in Denmark that specializes in synthetic turf. “You are not regulated at all with used turf and have massive amounts laying around.”

Disposal issue under wraps

Among American turf sellers and promoters, disposal is a touchy topic.

A truck loaded with used turf from a Montgomery County, Maryland, high school headed last year for its new home on a paintball park 50 miles away (Photo by Lyda Astrove).

Seven large artificial turf companies who market their product in this country declined to be interviewed by FairWarning about disposal, or the recycling programs they say they maintain. FieldTurf, based in Montreal and one of the largest synthetic turf vendors in the U.S., did not answer specific questions but issued a statement, attributed to the Synthetic Turf Council and affirming its members’ commitment to sustainability.

“Our members have found many applications for end of life turf that are commonly found in the marketplace, and they are at the forefront of technology that is expanding end of life turf applications,” the statement said. Turf council president Dan Bond did not return FairWarning’s phone calls or answer questions submitted in writing.

Even among environmentalists, disposal of artificial turf has gotten scant attention, but for a vocal group of parents and activists, including many with roots in the Washington, D.C., area. They are alarmed by some studies calling out the potential health risks of crumb rubber and the exposure of young people to cancer-causing chemicals, lead and other dangerous toxins...

https://www.fairwarning.org/2019/12/fields-of-waste-artificial-turf-mess/

What happens when @MoCoCouncilMD and @mocoboe only pretend to be concerned about environmental issues. #PollutionStories @sierraclubmd @SierraClub

What happens when @MoCoCouncilMD only pretends to be concerned about environmental issues. #PollutionStories @sierraclubmd @SierraClub https://t.co/kivQNhKiA3

— Lyda Astrove (@LydaAstrove) October 28, 2019

Environmental Waste Generated by Board of Education's Lust for Plastic Football Fields: The Turf Mountain

The Netherlands is a country of artificial turf. No country in the world has more artificial turf per capita. Last summer, over 200 artificial grass pitches were replaced in the Netherlands. No less than 1 million square metres of artificial turf had to be removed. All waste that cannot be dumped. What happens to the old pitches? What happens to all that plastic and all the polluting rubber in them? Processing companies promise to separate all the waste and recycle it. Municipalities pay top dollar for that. But what is the reality? Those involved call it 'the best kept secret in the market'. ZEMBLA follows the trail of a number of transports, and finds itself in a world of dealers, defrauding artificial turf processors, absent supervisors, and a growing artificial turf pile.

2009: FieldTurf Guaranteed RMHS Field would be 100% Recycled and Would Not End Up in a Landfill

What actually happened to the RMHS plastic grass.

In 2009, FieldTurf produced the letter below stating that the Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) plastic football field and 120 tons of ground up tires (crumb rubber) would be 100% recycled and would not end up in a landfill.

In 2018, the RMHS plastic football field was removed and sent to a landfill in Southern Virginia and to a paint ball field in Baltimore County.

The RMHS plastic grass football field was not "100% recycled" and did end up in a landfill.

Pictures of the removal and dumping of the RMHS plastic grass football field are at this link. (Scroll down for all posts.) 

The Montgomery County Board of Education failed to have the RMHS plastic grass replaced under warranty when the field failed.  Instead, they diverted MCPS Operating Budget funds meant for public school classrooms to pay for the replacement of the RMHS plastic grass football field.  

The Montgomery County Board of Education failed to have FieldTurf honor their commitment to 100% recycle the RMHS plastic grass field.   They are polluting Southern Virginia and Baltimore County.  

These are the Board of Education members that are continually endorsed by major organizations, unions, other elected officials, and news organizations and elected and re-elected into office.  

The dumping and pollution from the removal of the RMHS plastic grass is their actual record in office.  

This is what Montgomery County voters support. 

2010 Artificial Turf Purcha... by on Scribd

Parade of Pollution: Aug. 3rd Dumpster Overflowing with Plastic, Crumb Rubber Clogged Storm Drain, MDE Inspection After Heavy Rain #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 9: 

These pictures show what Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS) looked like on August 3, 2018.  This is now 16 days after the artificial turf field was supposedly removed from RMHS according to the letter distributed by Council President Hans Riemer.  The pictures show what appears to be a 4th dumpster full of used plastic grass, crumb rubber and trash.

There is also a RMHS storm drain completely clogged with crumb rubber showing that the "filters" that Superintendent Jack R. Smith and MCPS COO Andrew Zuckerman have said were keeping the crumb rubber out of the Cabin John Watershed had completely failed.

Note that the day before these pictures were taken, August 2nd, the storm drains around RMHS were inspected (See page 7 of document) after a heavy rain by the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE).  The inspection did not find crumb rubber in the system outfall, but noted that MDE would be back at a later date to inspect the "staging area" when the contractor "demobilizes" from the site.  The "staging area" is shown in the pictures below.  Apparently, MDE does not inspect "staging areas," even one's that are actively polluting a watershed.

Sand delivery for new artificial turf field.

Crumb rubber tire tracks are still seen
all over the RMHS property.

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

2018 August 8 MCPS Jack R. Smith by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

Parade of Pollution: July 30, 2018, Smith and Zuckerman Do Not Want to Discuss What Happened to Used Plastic Grass and Crumb Rubber #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 8:

At the July 30, 2018, Montgomery County Board of Education meeting Superintendent Jack R. Smith had MCPS Chief Operating Officer Andrew Zuckerman read a prepared statement about the removal of the artificial turf at Richard Montgomery High School.  In the statement, Superintendent Smith called the discussion around the removal of the artificial turf a "distraction from core mission."

The statement read in part:

...It is unfortunate that there is a small group of individuals attempting to mislead and misinform our community about this issue. This behavior distracts from our core mission of teaching and learning. I am particularly troubled by the fact that in this case we are fielding questions about a paintball facility’s reuse of artificial turf in White Marsh, Maryland when here in Montgomery County locally we are focused on creating opportunities for all students to learn and achieve at high levels...

Unbeknownst to Superintendent Smith and MCPS COO Andrew Zuckerman an individual had traveled to the White Marsh, MD location that Smith and Zuckerman were claiming was an artificial turf recycling facilty.  That person posted their pictures of what they found to Facebook and Twitter.

Does this look like a "storage facility" to you?  Does it look like anything other than a paint ball field with used artificial turf and crumb rubber dumped all over it?

From Twitter: 

My hope is that MCPS does better the next time they dispose of artificial turf and infill. Does this seem like environmentally responsible move? pic.twitter.com/s4lZKzXTVg

— susan loftus (@SooznLoft) August 1, 2018

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

Parade of Pollution: July 29, 2018 - Another Dumpster, Storm Drain with Crumb Rubber #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 7:

These pictures were taken on July 29, 2018, and document that tons of plastic grass and crumb rubber were still on site at Richard Montgomery High School 8 days after the MCPS Chief Operating Officer wrote that the field had been removed.  

Each dumpster holds approximately 4 tons of material, so here is another 4 tons of plastic grass and crumb rubber that were not loaded on a "flatbed trailer for transport" as Superintendent Jack R. Smith wrote in his August 8th memorandum to the Board of Education. This is the 3rd dumpster full of plastic grass and crumb rubber that we photographed on site.

These pictures also show that on July 29th loose crumb rubber was still on the ground at RMHS and was not being contained or prevented from entering the Cabin John Watershed.  Crumb rubber was leaking from the dumpster and entering the storm drain.  The filters that MCPS attempted to use were not effective. 

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

Parade of Pollution: July 26, 2018, INSIDE THE DUMPSTER #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 6: 

These pictures were also taken on July 26, 2018, and document the removal of the football field of plastic grass and 120 tons of crumb rubber from Richard Montgomery High School.
These pictures show the rolls of artificial turf and crumb rubber that were left behind at RMHS after the tractor trailer load was taken away.

These pictures also show INSIDE one of the dumpsters at Richard Montgomery High School.  Inside the dumpster is loose crumb rubber, hay, plastic bottles, and wads of plastic grass.  Contrast this picture with what Superintendent Jack R. Smith told the Board of Education about the removal of the artificial turf field in his August 8th memo.

Superintendent Smith memo to Board of Education August 8, 2018.

The picture below clearly shows hay, plastic bottles, loose crumb rubber and plastic grass randomly tossed in a dumpster.  The contents of this dumpster were not rolled up and were not going to be reused or repurposed.  This dumpster was on its way to a landfill in Brunswick, Virginia.

The picture below, also taken on July 26th, 8 days after MCPS said the field had been removed shows crumb rubber clogging a storm drain. 

On July 26th, rolls of artificial turf with crumb rubber spillling out are still at Richard Montgomery High School.

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

Parade of Pollution: July 21, 2018. Letter from MCPS COO and 5.39 Inches of Rain #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 5:

Then the rain came.  
On July 21, 2018, Rockville received 5.39 inches of rain in one day. That same day, MCPS Chief Operating Officer Andrew Zuckerman sent out a letter to the public.  

July 21, 2018Dear MCPS Community,This week, contractors began work to replace the artificial turf field at Richard Montgomery High School.  The existing artificial turf material has been removed and sent for recycling.  The entire system, including turf fibers and infill, will be repurposed as a continuation of the overall lifecycle of the materials.In addition, any remaining debris left over from the removal of the turf field will be cleared.  We have taken steps to mitigate the impact of the field removal process on the surrounding environment.  In addition to sweeping up debris, the storm water management system under the surface at Richard Montgomery High School is designed to contain debris within the system to allow for thorough, periodic cleaning.  Other preventative measures, such as the use of mesh screening over turf materials waiting to be hauled away, are also in place.  Contractors and MCPS staff are working diligently to remove the artificial turf in a safe and efficient manner and look forward to installing the new organic infill field shortly. Andrew ZuckermanChief Operating OfficerMontgomery County Public Schools 

  

The pictures below were taken on July 24, 2018 at Richard Montgomery High School and contradict the statements made by the MCPS COO.  

• The existing artificial turf and crumb rubber had not all been removed by July 21st.
• Mesh screening is not in use over the artificial turf left on site.
• Crumb rubber can be seen clogging up a storm drain, leaking out of a dumpster and spilling out of rolls of used artificial turf. 
• Crumb rubber can be seen floating in puddles of water on the grass.
• The removal of the used artificial turf and 120 tons of crumb rubber was far from over 3 days after the letter from the MCPS COO on July 21st.

  

 

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

Parade of Pollution: July 19 , 2018 - At least 34 Rolls of Artificial Turf and Crumb Rubber Not Taken to White Marsh "Storage Facility" #ArtificialTurfPrivilege #HansRiemer #MCPS

Part 4:
These pictures were also taken on July 19, 2018, and document the removal of the football field of plastic grass and 120 tons of crumb rubber from Richard Montgomery High School.

These pictures show the rolls of articicial turf carpet and crumb rubber that were left behind at RMHS after the tractor trailer load was taken away.

Remember that the "field" was shipped to White Marsh, Maryland on July 18th according to the TurfCycle USA letter distributed by County Council President Hans Riemer.  These pictures were taken after the "field" was sent to White Marsh.  It would appear that these are the rolls of artificial turf and crumb rubber that ended up in dumpsters and shipped off to the Brunswick, VA landfill.

These pictures document at least 34 rolls of artificial turf filled with crumb rubber that were not taken to the White Marsh, MD "storage facility."

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

16 rolls of artificial turf at far end of field

18+ rolls of artificial turf a near end  (concession)

Parade of Pollution: July 17, 2018 - Richard Montgomery High School Artificial Turf and Crumb Rubber Removal #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 3:
These pictures were taken on July 17, 2018, and document the removal of the football field of plastic grass and 120 tons of crumb rubber from Richard Montgomery High School (RMHS).  

We have now gone back to the day before our first pictures were taken at RMHS on July 18th to show the pictures taken and posted by @RMRockets_AD on Twitter.  That account is listed as being the RMHS Athletic Director.  

The first picture below is important because it shows the plastic grass being rolled up with the crumb rubber still on the field.  That is not how an artificial turf field is recycled.  If an artificial turf field is actually going to be recycled the plastic grass and infill are segregated on site. Clearly, the components of the RMHS field were not going to be recycled.  

The black on the ground is the 120 tons of crumb rubber (ground up used tires) on the field.  This is what students at RMHS were playing on before the field was removed. 

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.

Picture shows crumb rubber being rolled up with the plastic grass.