Environmentally Conscious Ways to Incorporate Turf into Your Residential Landscaping

June 27, 2022

As the demand for artificial grass continues to grow, so does the debate on the environmental impacts of swapping natural grass for turf. But is there a way that both sides can come out as winners?

Residential Turf and the Environment: What You Need to Know

The global climate is changing and that has forced many Vancouver residents to modify their habits. We can all do our part to reduce waste and limit our footprints by making greener lifestyle choices, but what about our lawns?

Natural grass has become increasingly difficult to maintain, and the negative environmental impacts of keeping grass greens growing. Vancouver has been dealing with years of water shortages, prompting tight controls on when and how much residents can water their lawns.

Then there are issues such as the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers, which slowly make their way into the soil and waterways, harming the planet in the name of delivering a greener lawn.

But what about the impacts of residential turf?

High-quality artificial grass sold in Vancouver is made from recyclable materials. The plastics used are non-toxic, making them a suitable solution for families with small children and pets.

Once installed, residential turf has an expected life expectancy of 15 to 25 years. Unlike natural grass, residential turf requires very little upkeep, no harsh chemicals, and minimal watering for cleaning purposes only.

However, one issue many people have with artificial grass is what happens after it has reached the end of its usable life? That’s an important issue that residential turf suppliers in Vancouver are actively trying to address.

While the technology to recycle artificial grass exists, it remains challenging, and few facilities are equipped to do it. That said, changes have been made to the composition of artificial grass, which has made it easier to break down and there are ways to repurpose used turf. At the same time, manufacturers are working to improve manufacturing and recycling processes. As the technology continues to advance, the hope is that most artificial grass will one day be able to be recycled.

Using Residential Turf in an Environmentally Responsible Manner

Include a Border Area in Your Garden

Just because you have decided to use residential turf for your lawn doesn’t mean you can’t also choose to incorporate plants and flowers in your garden which provide essential nutrition for insects and birds. Borders allow you to benefit from both a low-maintenance lawn and beautifying an ecologically diverse garden.

Incorporate Planters into Your Landscaping

Planters are another option for bringing live plant life into your garden. They are easier and less resource-intensive to maintain than a natural grass lawn but provide many of the same ecological benefits.

Leave Shrubs and Trees Grow

Natural grass requires water and sunlight to maintain its healthy appearance; residential turf does not. Let your tress, plants, and shrubs grow freely without worrying that the shade will harm your grass. It will not only give you a comfortable place to enjoy during the hot summer months, but it will cut down on your lawn maintenance costs.

Residential turf has many positive environmental implications as it requires no harsh chemicals, nor does it waste limited water sources. When you’re done with your turf, there are sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to recycle or repurpose it.