These include heavy metals and toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and 6PPD. “During rain events, [particles] are washed off and they get into environments where they can make aquatic ecosystems sick,” she says.
A typical synthetic soccer field, according to one estimate, requires at least 100 tonnes of crumb rubber – about 22,000 tyres’ worth.
The European Union is moving towards a ban on synthetic turf made from crumb rubber, while in the US, California is joining several other states in introducing legislation to ban fake grass that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as “forever chemicals”.
In recent years, synthetic turf manufacturers have begun to move away from crumb rubber, instead using organic infill material, such as cork and engineered wood chips. Even so, the amount of plastic such fields require is concerning, says Garnet Brownbill, spokesperson for the Natural Turf Alliance.
“We’re looking at anywhere between 250 and 500 [tonnes] of plastic in one field alone. The reality is most of that currently cannot be recycled within Australia,” Brownbill says.
