The Synthetic Turf Council said the industry grew 20 percent for 2008. Growth in all sectors of the industry -- sports fields, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential – has helped conserve an additional 500 million gallons of water during a time when many sectors of the country still grapple with drought.
“Our member companies are actively creating jobs and bolstering local economies with their growth,” says Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. “Industry expansion also allows us to make a positive impact on the environment by conserving water, lowering the usage of pesticides and fertilizers and recycling materials.”
The environmental impact of synthetic turf fields is significant, the STC says. Assuming a 33 week growing season, the installation of more than a thousand new synthetic turf fields last year conserved an estimated 500 million gallons of water and reduced the use of fertilizers by well over 1.25 million pounds. With approximately 4,500 synthetic turf fields currently in use, the total amount of water saved in 2008 exceeded 2.2 billion gallons – enough water to supply the average home for 75 years.
Demand for synthetic turf has grown over the past few years, the STC says. About half of all NFL teams currently play their games on synthetic turf, and it has been approved by FIFA for World Cup soccer matches. As the need for durable playing fields escalates, especially those that don’t require high water usage during times of drought, synthetic turf has become an increasingly popular solution to enhance athletic performance, deal with the issue of limited space in older cities and suburbs, and allow for multiple sports teams to practice and play on a grass-like surface.
The increased popularity of synthetic turf has also resulted in increased scrutiny. In July 2008, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Staff report approved the use of synthetic turf fields by children and people of all ages. Numerous independent, current, and credible scientific studies that verify the usage benefits and address the health, safety, and environmental impact of synthetic turf are posted on the Synthetic Turf Council’s website at www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
