Have you been considering installing turf in your yard? You are maybe in charge of the landscaping for a park, too, or you are helping your community create a new field for the local sports teams to enjoy. Whatever your role is, though, if you are thinking about getting artificial grass, this is the article for you.
Today, I want to explain to you how the process of making the recycled products works, and why you may want to consider it for your needs! While there is no guarantee that it will be the right decision for everyone, I do think that it is worthwhile to explain at the very least. Hopefully, you will find this information helpful!
What is Recycling?
It would be hard to figure out the mechanics of something that we do not fully understand in the first place, so for starters, let us establish a definition for recycling. While we can certainly look at websites like this one, https://www.wastedive.com/news/what-does-recycling-actually-mean/551905/, for some further details, I do think there is a bit more to be said as well.
Essentially, though, the process involves taking raw materials and repurposing them so that they can be used to create something new. Some of the most common things to do this with are plastic and glass, though there are others as well of course. Typically, it does involve some industrial scraps, though that is not always the case.
How Does it Work?
Moving on a bit, how does the process actually function? Well, of course, the first step is to collect any of the recycled materials. In terms of artificial grass, this will probably look like plastic bits, typically polypropylene or something similar. This is because that is the usual primary “ingredient” in this type of landscaping.
After that happens, all of the raw materials will then be sorted into their respective sections to later be shipped off to manufacturers who utilize them. Of note, though, is that not everything that arrives at the sorting centers will actually be sent out.
As any artificial turf recycler can tell you, only the clean and uncontaminated items get used again. Anything that is not up to standards will be discarded. So, if you were at all worried about that and ending up with a dirty or tainted final product, that is extremely unlikely to happen thanks to all of the safety nets and precautions that are put in place.
After the sorting and processing are complete, the materials are then sent to any buyers who want to use them to create something new. While this may sound complicated and not overly important if you just want to have artificial grass on your lawn, I do anticipate that you have at least learned something new here. To me, understanding where things come from is quite important.
Why Does This Matter?
Still, though, I understand that you may need a bit more convincing to see why this even matters in the first place. At first glance, certainly, these topics may not seem related at all. With that being said, though, allow me to present the compelling reasons that you should care!
Obviously, there is an environmental component to this. As you can read about this on this page, recycling is a large part of keeping our planet clean and healthy. Plastic waste is one of the most dangerous types, thanks to all of the ways that it can be harmful to wildlife. Think about the ocean especially – many fish and sea turtles end up getting stuck in rings of plastic and choking to death.
Ensuring that we dump less of this garbage into the ocean is no laughing matter. Even the smallest acts can help with this, so do not count yourself out just because you feel the actions of one person will not make a difference. In truth, it matters more than you realize!
So – for anyone who is thinking about getting artificial grass, I do hope that you will take what I have said into account. The nice thing is that this type performs the same as any other sort of turf. Not to mention, it tends to cost less, since the materials are not as expensive for the manufacturers or sellers.
All the other perks of turf are still very much on the table. This includes the lack of stressful and constant maintenance, the lower risk of injury from falling, and the pretty look no matter what part of the world you live in. It is also quite easy to clean, of course, which should make most parents quite happy.
Generally speaking, while it is not the only way that we can use recycled plastics, it is still quite an efficient and effective method of doing so!
