FEATURE
FAKE OR BREAK?
Amid ever-increasing controversy surrounding the green credentials of artificial grass, Pro Landscaper contemplates pros, cons and alternate solutions
D
espite years of condemnation from environmental at the Chelsea Flower Show because it did not fit with its stance groups, 2022 felt like the period in which the artificial on biodiversity and the environment. grass debate finally reached boiling point. It was the year that saw Michael Gove, A matter of convenience Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and All-weather aesthetics, a lack of mud and Communities, move to ban artificial lawns maintenance and drought resistance have All-weather in housing developments. However, it persuaded homeowners to install artificial aesthetics, a lack of mud should be noted that this will not extend grass for a number of years. Yet while the to homeowners or sports pitches, and will products on the market in 2023 are a marked and maintenance and therefore have no effect on the reported improvement on those first seen in the 1960s, drought resistance have 29% of households considering the its recyclability remains a major source of ire persuaded homeowners switch to artificial grass. from environmental groups and media alike. to install artificial grass That’s on top of an estimated 10% In November, the Advertising Standards for a number of UK homeowners who have already Authority (ASA) ruled against Perfectly Green, implemented fake lawns, which equates an artificial grass supplier which marketed one of years to over 24 million households. of its products as “recyclable”. 2022 also saw Plastics Rebellion pen an open The ASA said at the time, “it doesn’t matter if letter to Defra, campaigning to ban sales of artificial something is recyclable in principle; what matters is if grass in the UK entirely, while the Royal Horticultural there are actual facilities to recycle it. If these facilities don’t yet Society announced in May that fake grass would be prohibited exist, then this product isn’t currently recyclable.”
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Pro Landscaper | March 2023
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