published in sb magazine 2 2021
How green is artificial turf?
The City of Zurich wishes to reduce its per-capita primary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To analyse and compare the environmental impact of different types of turf pitches, the Grün Stadt Zürich has commissioned Zurich University of Applied Sciences with a life cycle assessment study. How do artificial turf pitches with and without infill compare with natural turf pitches? The authors René Itten and Matthias Stucki of the Life Cycle Assessment Research Group at Zurich University of Applied Sciences draw their conclusions.
(Un)natural?
Artificial and natural turf pitches are precisely defined and built structures, and their visible life cycle starts with their construction. However, this is almost the only thing that artificial turf and natural turf have in common. In a comprehensive life cycle assessment, researchers at Zurich University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with the Grün Stadt Zürich and sports ground experts have compared the environmental impact of natural and artificial turf from pitch construction through maintenance and renovation through to dismantling and disposal. Even if natural turf and artificial turf have the same function as a sports surface, the two product systems could not be more different.

Greenhouse gas emissions of the various turf pitches per hour of use, broken down into the contributions from construction, renovation, maintenance and disposal
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