Why Artificial Turf Is the Most Eco-Friendly Choice for Homeowners

Posted by Sunburst Landscaping on October 11, 2017
Artificial Turf
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From trends like reusing rainwater and carpooling, the “green” movement is still well and alive today. In fact, more and more people in Phoenix and everywhere else in the country are applying more sustainable practices to their day-to-day lives. However, many are still unaware that the natural greenery in their background is not so eco-friendly after all. They are more reluctant to acknowledge that switching to artificial turf is better for the environment.
In this case, however, synthetic means actually have the advantage over natural methods. Find out exactly why artificial grass is the smarter choice for your home.
Homeowners Should Switch to the More Eco-Friendly Artificial Turf

Reduces Overall Water Consumption

In areas with dry climates like Scottsdale and the rest of Arizona, water is a highly valuable commodity. In the hottest months of the year, water can be scarce, meaning maintaining a natural lawn will be much harder. Not to mention the rate at which people consume water. Studies say that fifty percent of all the water used on land goes on grass alone. Looking at the smaller picture, watering natural grass costs as much as $90 for every 6 months.
Since artificial turf does not need to be watered, you can expect the water bill in your household to drop significantly. If everybody were to switch to synthetic grass, the whole world could potentially save millions of gallons of water. You can also rest assured that your lawn will look green and healthy all year round with little maintenance.

Doesn’t Contaminate Water Sources

Natural grass’ impact on the world’s water reserves doesn’t end at home. Did you know that regular use of pesticide and fertilizers have harmful effects on the sources of clean drinking water as well? Weedkillers and fertilizers contain strong chemicals that get washed away when you water the grass or when it rains. The chemicals then leak into the ground, and eventually into groundwater and even the ocean. With pollutants and toxic substances in the water, filtration and desalination becomes more difficult. It will have to undergo several more passes and cycles before it is directed to the taps in homes.
Artificial grass completely eliminates the need for fertilizing or applying pesticides in a residential setting. Since it’s all made of synthetic materials, bugs or pests would not be attracted to the grass. The grass will also remain at the ideal height so you don’t have to grow it.

Decreases Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases

Mowing the lawn is a necessary weekly chore for most homes with natural turf. While a mower and other lawn care machines like leaf blowers and hedge trimmers make the task more convenient, they also comes with a drawback. Emissions from these equipment greatly contribute to the air pollution in cities. Even modern ones that have been redesigned to use up less gas and produce less emissions don’t help that much with the problem.
Another disadvantage of mowing comes in the form of releasing a greenhouse gas called methane into the air. When you empty the lawnmower bag into a compost pit, you are unwittingly letting it out. Methane is believed to be capable of trapping more than a dozen times the radiant heat than carbon dioxide.
Artificial turf, on the other hand, doesn’t need to be trimmed. It will look like the picturesque, well-tended lawn that you might often see on magazines for the foreseeable future. The height of the grass blades will also appear more even across the lawn. Some types of artificial grass also feature blades that remain erect even with heavy foot traffic.

Retains a More Realistic Appearance

For the longest time, a well-manicured lawn serves as a status symbol. Homeowners naturally take great pride in their beautiful backyards, which is why some might not warm up to the idea of artificial turf. They might be worried that synthetic grass will look nothing like the real thing once it’s laid down on the ground.
Fortunately, new technology now allows manufacturers to perfectly mimic the look of natural grass. Everything from grass blade shapes and textures to varying shades of green and softness are more realistic. Some products have multi-directional fibers to make it seem like not all grass blades are leaning in just one direction. Others add a layer of material that looks like brown grass to blend the colors better and so it looks like new shoots are growing underneath. The best part is the surface will never fade or lose its color whatever the weather is like outside.
Widespread use of artificial grass can help the environment in more ways than one. If you wish to embrace this green trend, be sure to only work with professional installation companies like Sunburst Landscaping.
Sources:
The Artificial Lawn: Greener Than Natural?, GreenerIdeal.com
How the Growth of Cutting-Edge Artificial Grass Can Help Save Our Oceans, TheEthicalist.com