A Closer Look at the Lawn Care Playbook: WSU's Synthetic Turf Typology

Earlier this month we discussed all the benefits the Lawn & Garden typology provides us and the environment we live in. It’s easy to love because it offers beautiful scenery, a diverse habitat for wildlife, water filtering and soil building abilities, while still giving us space to play. Looking further into “Greening Urban and Residential Spaces: Enhancing Performance Objectives through Landscaping in a Changing World”, published in 2024, we find WSU's Synthetic Turf typology. This typology is controversial because as its popularity grows, so does its criticism. The compound annual growth rate of synthetic turf is projected to grow 5.1% from 2025 to 2030, according to Grand View Research and other market analysts. Why is artificial turf growing in popularity? And are people considering the negative aspects of synthetic turf when making their decisions?

The main benefits of synthetic turf are its durability, or ability to withstand heavy traffic, and low cost and time invested in field maintenance. However, these benefits come at the expense of people, especially athletes, and our environment. Let’s dig a little deeper and uncover the full impacts of synthetic turf.

Third generation synthetic turf is durable due to its composition of polyethylene (plastic) pile fibers. These fibers may be harder and more durable than real turfgrass, but they are also more abrasive, resulting in an increase in skin breaks from surface contact. These breaks in the skin allow bacteria to more easily enter the body, which can result in infection. On top of that, many athletes have been vocal about the way their bodies feel after playing on synthetic, or artificial turf, and it isn’t good. Read our previous blog post to learn more.

Another component of third generation synthetic turf is crumb rubber. The rubber is used along with silica sand to hold the fibers more upright to give a similar look and feel to real turfgrass. The side effects of using crumb rubber may surprise you. For instance, did you know that crumb rubber contains the compound 6-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), which can leach into waterways killing coho salmon, brook trout, and rainbow trout? WSU’s research also revealed that synthetic turf can also emit tiny inhalable particles through intense thermal and mechanical treatment of natural rubber. Consider these side effects before choosing synthetic turf.

One thing that we often take for granted about real turfgrass is its ability to remain cool and comfortable, even when exposed to direct sunlight like many of our lawns are. We all have taken off our shoes and walked barefoot through our lawns, but you would want to think twice about doing that on synthetic turf. The composition of plastic and rubber that we talked about earlier absorbs and retains heat from solar radiation, warming the surface and air above it. This can be dangerous to us, children, pets, wildlife, and especially athletes who are already physically exerting themselves.

Speaking of sports, we mentioned earlier that many venues are choosing synthetic turf because it saves them time and money on maintenance, and WSU shares an example supporting this in their paper. Despite the lower maintenance cost, the initial installation of synthetic turf for a football field can exceed well over one million dollars, and this cost will be incurred again when the field needs to be replaced after about ten years. Make sure these costs are considered before choosing synthetic turf.

Our closing thought regards wildlife. Real turfgrass might not be the most diverse habitat, but it’s still a living plant that is benefiting the soil, water, and wildlife. Synthetic turf is not a habitat for anything. In fact, it pollutes the surrounding habitats that wildlife and people like to enjoy with the harmful chemical 6PPD. Real turfgrass filters and cleans water.

To answer our earlier questions, it's hard to say why synthetic turf is growing in popularity. There are several strikes against it, and most people and animals prefer real turfgrass. It could be because all the harmful side effects aren't very well known to the general public. Prioritizing cost savings above all else could be another factor. If someone you know is planning on installing synthetic turf, make them aware of the hazards and side effects so they can make an educated decision.

Check out our Lawn Care Playbook to learn how you can prepare your best lawn this spring!