There are hundreds artificial turf courts in Finland, and the court materials are regularly replaced as they wear. There are currently no sustainable processing methods in Finland for used artificial turf, particularly if they are in poor condition. Difficulties in reusing artificial turf materials arise from the many plastic grades used. Other components contained in the mats, such as rubber granules and sand as well as additives such as UV and fire protection agents make reprocessing difficult.
The Cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Lahti, Oulu, Tampere and Vantaa commissioned a joint survey to study the possibilities of reusing artificial turf. Large cities have a significant need to have sustainable procedures for recycling artificial turf and a responsibility to also bring good purchasing practices to light. The study was carried out by Ramboll.
Many plastic artificial turf mats are difficult to recycle
Artificial turf mats previously used at high-quality courts are already reused at lower quality practice courts and other targets, such as school yards, playgrounds and disc golf course teeing positions. Reuse plays a significant role in making use of the entire potential of artificial turf, as that is the way to fully make use of the materials and work that goes into manufacturing artificial turf. However, there are difficulties with reusing artificial turf mats, such as stretching and reinstallation as well as spilling of the infill. However, reuse does not solve the waste issues of artificial turf, as it is important to reintroduce the artificial turf materials into the cycle after it is reused.
It is also possible to recycle the artificial turf mat materials into new raw material, but the full bill of materials and plastic qualities of an artificial turf mat are not always known. If the mats were made of one plastic quality, they would be easier to recycle and the raw material demand would be higher than with a mixed material with various plastic qualities. Making artificial turf from a single type of plastic would facilitate the recycling of the materials.
According to the artificial turf study, the number of artificial turf courts in Finland that need to be replaced is not high enough for it to be financially viable to establish a separate production facility for recycling artificial turf. For example, there are no businesses in Finland that separate infill or recycle these mats. Therefore, it is not possible to carry out the recycling of an artificial turf mat that has reached the end of its useful life in Finland, even if there is the will to do so. There are mechanical artificial turf material recycling plants in Europe, but transporting the materials abroad carries both a financial and environmental cost as well as requiring a waste transport permit. Currently, the most economical option to reuse artificial turf in Finland is to burn them for energy.
Removal pilot projects offer practical information on current state
In spring 2024, Helsinki launched pilot projects on circular economy solutions for used artificial turf to find sustainable operating models for the recycling of decommissioned artificial turf. These pilots were carried out as part of artificial turf renovation projects. The experience gained from the pilot projects will complement the nationwide study. Results of the pilots will be available in spring 2025.
There is an EU regulation that bans the sale and installation of rubber granule infill at new courts after 2031. Helsinki has preempted this ban by replacing rubber granule with bio-based infill in new courts and by surveying the user experiences thereof. Currently, Helsinki is trialling the use of wood granules, olive pit granules, and various types of coated gravel as infill. In addition, various measures have been taken to reduce the spread of rubber granules from the courts to the environment.
Helsinki promotes the circular economy of plastics
In addition to reducing emissions, the City of Helsinki aims to promote circular economy solutions and support the sustainable use of natural resources and materials. In the Action Plan for the Circular and Sharing Economy, the city aims to find ways to promote the circular economy of plastics, especially in infrastructure construction, landscaping and the construction of sports facilities. The progress of the measure is accelerated by the national, EU LIFE-funded PlastLIFE project, in which Helsinki is involved.
