When it comes to landscaping, it often seems that green means two conflicting things. On one hand, you want your lawn to hold that gorgeous hue all season long, yet you also know that it is important to use green methods that are designed to protect the environment. In the past, people often had to choose between one or the other, but synthetic grass has changed all of that. As you begin to implement measures around your property to preserve our natural resources, know that synthetic grass helps you stay green by offering the following benefits.
Conserve Water
Every landscaper knows that watering is the key to keeping a lawn green. Unfortunately, many areas of the world today are experiencing droughts, and communities with high populations are struggling with keeping up the water supply that is required by an increased number of homes. For this reason, many communities have begun placing water restrictions upon their residents that are meant to help conserve water. Those living under water restrictions may be limited to only watering their lawn on certain days or between specific times, which makes it hard to keep a lawn green. During extreme water shortages, lawn watering may be completely restricted. With artificial grass, you never have to worry about being unable to water the lawn since the synthetic blades maintain their vibrant hue in every type of weather.
Decrease Your Use of Chemicals
In addition to spraying a constant stream of water, property owners who use natural grass also spread toxins into the environment by using chemicals during their lawn maintenance routine. Fertilizers are one chemical that you will be tempted to use with natural grass, especially if you are experiencing limitations on your watering schedule. While these may help keep your grass green, they often contain toxic chemicals that are not safe for humans and wildlife. Weed killers and pesticides are two more common chemicals used in lawn care that are eliminated with artificial turf. When your synthetic lawn is installed, it comes with a weed-resistant under layer that stops other plants from growing beneath. Insects and other pests also prefer natural grass, which means that you will no longer have to worry about spreading even more chemicals when you treat your lawn for fleas or ants.
Promote Better Air Quality
Wasting water and spreading chemicals are two very visible ways that your lawn maintenance routine destroys the environment. Yet, all of that use of lawn equipment also puts off exhaust that is bad for your air quality. Gas-powered lawn mowers, edgers and blowers all send foul chemicals into the air every time you maintain your lawn. While it may not seem like much when it is just you, keep in mind how it can add up when everyone in the neighborhood is running their equipment. Often, making green changes requires taking small steps to stop wasteful behavior, and choosing synthetic grass allows you to eliminate the damage to the air caused by lawn equipment exhaust one yard at a time.
Choose Recycled Turf
In your research, you may have come across viewpoints from people who feel as though synthetic grass replaces the qualities offered by natural grass since it cannot grow back. Artificial grass installers realized this problem for the environment so they decided to begin recycling old fields. When a lawn or field has reached its life expectancy, it is simply pulled up and hauled away. Then, it is taken to a recycling plant where the plastic materials can be renewed and turned into new grass. This allows fewer materials to be wasted and essentially gives every synthetic lawn a second life that mimics the natural grass life cycle. Although some energy is used to repurpose artificial grass, it still does not compare to the water waste, spread of toxic chemicals and fumes that is required for natural grass maintenance.
Repurpose Old Lawns
When your synthetic lawn has reached its full life, you can continue to expand your green living strategies by arranging to have it repurposed. It is also important to note that you can have your natural lawn hauled away at the same time you have your synthetic lawn installed so that it can be reused as well. Choosing to repurpose your materials is an easy way to give back to the environment, and you can keep the cycle of reusing important materials going.
Decrease Energy Waste
In addition to spewing fumes into the air, using lawn equipment also wastes fuel that could be better used for other things such as your vehicle. It also takes large amounts of energy to produce the chemicals and equipment you use for your lawn. For example, your lawn mower is made of plastic and metal materials that will be unlikely to ever be recycled. This contributes to even more waste in the landfills, and the energy used in their manufacturing is never returned. Man power is another type of energy that is wasted with natural grass. All those hours spent mowing, weed eating and fertilizing represent energy that you or your lawn service could better put toward more fruitful endeavors. Synthetic grass does require some energy to be used during the manufacturing and installation process. After that, however, the energy savings go far beyond anything you will ever receive with natural grass.
Save The Other Type of Green
Financial savings are an important part of environmental conservation because reducing the cost of maintaining your lawn will allow you to direct your funds where they can make a difference. Instead of wasting money on lawn care, you will save money over time when you choose synthetic grass. These savings can then be applied to upgrading your other environmental efforts such as exploring the benefits offered by solar panels and energy saving appliances.
When it comes to saving the environment, it truly can be done one lawn or field at a time. Synthetic grass offers significant benefits over natural lawns due to its resilience that requires very little maintenance. Choosing to replace your natural grass with artificial turf offers a long-term strategy for green living that will allow you to still enjoy a lovely landscape while making a positive contribution to the environment.