What to Do with Old Artificial Turf
Have you spent years loving your artificial turf? If so, that’s great. However, nothing will last forever – not the artificial turf you have installed. While it can last for 10 to 15 years or more, time will take its toll eventually.
When time starts to catch up with your turf, you will notice a few things. For example:
- High traffic areas appear tired and won’t rebound without brushing
- Infinitesimal fading is noticeable
- Smelly bacteria or mold has developed
- Seams separate and fray
If you have noticed these problems with your turf, now is an excellent time to consider replacing it. Installing new artificial turf will improve your home’s curb appeal, and if you are trying to sell, the idea of a low maintenance lawn is appealing to many buyers.
However, don’t just throw out the artificial turf. There are several steps you should take to ensure proper disposal.
Avoid Hauling the Turf to the Dump
You probably know that landfills across the country are overflowing. If you are like most people, the last thing you want to do is add even more waste to the pipe. The good news is that modern artificial turf can be recycled.
While this wasn’t always the case, recyclers can separate the infill material from the poly-plastics that are used for the backing and blades. After the turf has been cleaned and processed, it can be made into an array of products from t-shirts and tote bags to a top dressing for natural grass.
Breathing New Life into Old Grass
In some situations, organizations and municipalities like to use second hand, cheaper turf that is still in pretty good condition and ideal for batting cage mats or other lower impact areas. This turf will be cleaned and sanitized for these types of uses before it is reinstalled for use elsewhere.
It may be a good idea for you to keep some of the old turf, too. There are more than a few creative things you can do with artificial grass both inside and outside. When you repurpose your fake grass for use outside, it will fit in with other efforts you have made to promote sustainability.
You can also let people nearby know about the old turf that you have. You never know, a neighbor may need the turf to use as a floor in their child’s new playhouse or for their dog’s outdoor play area. You can either give it away or sell it to those who want it.
Shopping for New Artificial Turf for Your Landscape
When you replace your old lawn, it will refresh the entire landscape. You can decide to replace the turf just like before or give your yard a makeover by changing the shape or size. With artificial turf, this decision is easy because you don’t have to worry about limitations like dense shade or mowing convenience that may be problematic for natural grass. Be sure to work with the professionals to ensure that you get the high-quality turf that you want and deserve.
