Frequently asked questions about using artificial grass in yards

Artificial grass refers to a carpet made of synthetic materials designed to resemble natural grass. Artificial grass typically consists of three layers of plastic: the base, the middle layer, and the pile.

The materials commonly used in artificial grass include polypropene, polyethene, latex and polyurethane. In addition, artificial grass is usually treated with UV protection to better withstand sunlight.

The pile is often dyed green to make it look like real grass. An infill material is also applied to help the pile remain upright. Artificial grass used in yards usually has sand as infill.

Artificial grass weakens urban biodiversity. The majority of earthworms, micro-organisms and microbes living in the soil die beneath artificial grass as their habitat changes and food sources disappear. This results in a lack of food and nesting areas for birds and hedgehogs. Pollinators also lose access to food or resting spots. Although regular grass lawns are not particularly beneficial for biodiversity, artificial grass is even worse, as it offers no habitat for living organisms.

Artificial grass also contributes to climate change and its negative effects. As a natural lawn grows, it effectively absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. Natural grass also releases moisture into the atmosphere as it ‘breathes’. Replacing vegetation with artificial grass causes the organic matter in the soil beneath it to decompose, releasing carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. Furthermore, removing plants that evaporate water increases local temperatures. The removal of vegetation also exposes the yard to erosion since there are no plant roots to bind the soil particles together.

Artificial grass increases the runoff of stormwater, such as rain and meltwater. This is because water cannot seep through artificial grass into the ground in the same way it does with natural grass. As a result, artificial grass can cause localised flooding, especially during heavy rains, and in the worst-case scenario, water may flow into nearby building basements.

Artificial grass does not filter water like natural grass, which means more nutrients and impurities are carried into waterways. In addition, artificial grass can cause erosion in surrounding areas. Water quickly runs off artificial grass, carrying soil with it, which can deteriorate water quality.

If you want natural grass for your yard, it is important to remember that a beautiful and durable lawn starts with good soil. The soil where the grass is planted should be prepared according to the yard conditions. In clay-heavy soils, it is important to add humus and permeable sandy soil. There are also different types of grass seeds suited for various purposes, with some grasses better able to withstand ball games or drought. It could be worthwhile to consult a professional for advice on establishing a good and resilient lawn.

There are small things you can do to improve biodiversity in your yard. You can allow plants naturally found in Finnish nature, such as weeds like dandelion, to grow amidst the grass.  Alternatively, you can leave parts of the lawn unmown or only mow pathways in more frequently used areas.

Instead of grass, you can sow clover, ground ivy or silverweed in your yard. You can also plant part of the yard as a meadow. Meadows are visually appealing, effectively enhance biodiversity, and attract various insects, which are fun to observe and admire. Meadow plants require minimal water or nutrients, and mowing once or twice a year is sufficient.

Some yards have a tendency to become mossy. In such cases, it might be worth considering whether a soft and beautiful carpet of moss could be a more appealing option than artificial grass.

Artificial grass that has reached the end of its life cycle can be difficult to reuse. There are no recycling options for artificial grass in Finland.

Artificial grass is made from materials like polypropene, polyethene, latex and polyurethane, and it is impossible to separate the plastic components of worn artificial grass. Furthermore, it is likely that the sand used as infill has become contaminated with plastic from the grass. In practice, artificial grass and the sand infill are considered mixed waste, which significantly increases the costs associated with their treatment and disposal.

The city uses artificial grass only in areas that are extensively used, such as sports fields and playgrounds. In these locations, the grass has a shorter pile and is usually called artificial turf. Surfacing used in these areas must meet specific requirements for durability and safety.

The City of Espoo installs artificial turf in playgrounds in areas where maintaining an alternative safety surfacing would be challenging. Traditional safety gravel or chips do not stay in place on sloped surfaces. They can also quickly become uneven or generate significant dust. Artificial turf is therefore used on slopes and mounds, such as those near slides and zip lines, as well as on some smaller sports fields.

On football fields, Espoo, like other cities, uses artificial turf. Football is increasingly played outside the summer season, and artificial turf makes it possible to play all year round. Many football fields also have heating, and artificial turf is the best option for this purpose. The rubber granules used as infill in artificial turf cause microplastic pollution, which is why their use must be phased out after the current transition period. In Espoo, we no longer use rubber granules on new fields and instead opt for more environmentally friendly infill materials that are currently available. Every year, we also replace the infill on existing fields with more eco-friendly alternatives.