The rise of artificial turf as a low-maintenance alternative has prompted many to question the value of natural grass. While synthetic surfaces offer a persistent green appearance and eliminate the need for mowing, this convenience comes with significant trade-offs regarding environmental function, community health, and long-term waste management. Natural grass is a living system that provides ecological services that artificial turf, an inert plastic product, cannot replicate. The long-term costs associated with the environmental and health impacts of plastic turf often outweigh the perceived simplicity of its upkeep.
Ecological Function and Biodiversity Support
Natural grass systems function as miniature ecosystems that contribute to environmental health. The extensive root network of turfgrass binds soil particles together, preventing wind and water erosion. This root structure also creates channels, maintaining soil porosity and allowing for the exchange of gases and nutrients.
A primary benefit of natural grass is its role in carbon sequestration. Through photosynthesis, grass absorbs carbon dioxide and stores a large portion of that carbon in its biomass and the soil below. Grasslands are recognized as powerful carbon sinks, locking this element deep underground where it remains stable. In contrast, artificial turf is manufactured from petroleum-based plastics, a process that generates a carbon footprint and provides no capacity for carbon storage.
The living soil beneath natural grass supports a complex web of biodiversity, including microorganisms, fungi, and invertebrates like earthworms, which continuously enrich the soil. This living layer is fundamental to nutrient cycling and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Artificial turf acts as an inert barrier, destroying the underlying soil ecology by blocking sunlight, moisture, and organic matter. This disruption turns a dynamic, self-sustaining ecosystem into a sterile layer of soil.
Natural Cooling Through Transpiration
One of the most noticeable and functionally important differences between natural and artificial surfaces is their effect on temperature. Natural grass actively cools the surrounding air through a biological process called transpiration, often referred to as evaporative cooling. During this process, water absorbed by the roots is released as vapor through tiny pores in the leaves, known as stomata.
This change of state from liquid water to water vapor requires a substantial amount of energy, which is drawn directly from the heat in the air and the surface of the grass blades. This mechanism allows a well-maintained natural grass surface to remain significantly cooler than the ambient air temperature. Conversely, artificial turf, being made of plastic fibers and a rubber infill, absorbs solar radiation and acts as a heat sink.
The synthetic material lacks any mechanism for evaporative cooling, causing surface temperatures to soar on hot, sunny days. Studies show that artificial turf can be 20 to over 65 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than natural grass under the same environmental conditions. These high temperatures create a dangerous microclimate that contributes to the urban heat island effect and poses a risk of heat-related illness and skin burns.
Superior Water Absorption and Filtration
Natural grass and its accompanying soil structure are integral components of the natural water cycle, promoting both absorption and purification. The porous soil acts like a sponge, allowing rainwater to percolate slowly downward, which reduces the volume and speed of surface runoff. This slow infiltration helps to recharge local groundwater sources and aquifers, vital for community water supplies.
Furthermore, the soil microbes and organic matter within a healthy grass system naturally filter pollutants from the rainwater as it passes through the layers. This biofiltration process removes sediment, chemicals, and heavy metals before the water reaches underground reserves or nearby waterways. Artificial turf, however, presents a largely impermeable barrier that prevents water from soaking into the ground naturally.
Although synthetic fields often have perforations for drainage, the surface encourages rapid runoff, which can overwhelm municipal stormwater systems and increase the risk of flash flooding. This runoff is frequently contaminated, carrying microplastic particles shed from the turf fibers and infill, along with leached chemicals, into waterways. The lack of natural filtration means that artificial turf actively pollutes the water that runs off its surface.
Material Safety and End-of-Life Concerns
The composition of artificial turf raises significant concerns about material safety and environmental pollution throughout its lifecycle. The synthetic fibers are typically made from polyethylene or polypropylene, and the common infill material is crumb rubber, which is derived from shredded, recycled tires. This crumb rubber contains a complex cocktail of chemicals, including heavy metals like lead and zinc, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known carcinogens.
Additionally, both the turf blades and the backing materials have been found to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals” because they resist degradation and accumulate in living tissue. As the turf ages, the plastic fibers break down and the infill wears away, releasing microplastic particles into the surrounding environment. This shedding contributes significantly to environmental pollution.
The lifespan of a typical artificial turf field is relatively short, often lasting only eight to fifteen years before it must be replaced due to wear and tear. Because the material is a composite of different plastics, rubber, and chemical additives bonded together, it is extremely difficult to recycle in a sustainable way. Consequently, a single full-size field can contribute approximately 440,000 pounds of plastic and rubber waste that is destined for a landfill.