How to Re-Use Artificial Turf

Last Updated on September 19, 2024 by ReTurf

When you think about used artificial turf, it’s easy to picture beat-up sports fields getting torn up and tossed in the trash. But, believe it or not, there’s a second life for this stuff.

Used artificial grass can find a home in many places—batting cages, gyms, putting greens, indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, playgrounds, pet play areas, and even landscaping projects. Businesses can use repurposed turf for sports facilities, paintball arenas, or even as themed decor.

The durability that made it perfect for a high-traffic sports field means it’s more than capable of standing up to daily use in a home or commercial setting. Whether it’s for a putting green that feels like a pro course, or a dog run that can handle even the most enthusiastic pups.

As you can see, synthetic turf is versatile. It’s just knowing what you’re getting, and how to put it to good use.

The Challenge of Recycling Artificial Turf

Recycling artificial turf is trickier than you might think. Most synthetic turf is made from several different types of polymers, and they don’t all play nice together when it comes time to recycle.

The most common materials you’ll find in artificial grass are polyethylene (PE) for the fibers, polypropylene (PP) for the thatch layer, and polyester (PES) for the backing. Oh, and let’s not forget about the infill—those little granules that keep the turf looking and performing like real grass. Infill can be anything from crumb rubber to sand, or even more advanced options like coated sand or organic infills (i.e. shredded coconut husks).

Recycling plants usually prefer to work with just one type of polymer at a time. If they have to deal with two, like PE fibers and a PES backing, it’s often doable—but not ideal. Throw in a third polymer, and things get complicated fast.

It’s not that it can’t be done, but it’s a lot more expensive and energy-intensive, which makes it less appealing for most recyclers.

So, what happens to all that used turf?

Well, traditionally, it ends up in a landfill, which isn’t great for the environment. Other times it ends up in an incinerator—also not so great for the environment. But today, there are better options.

Recycled & Used Artificial Turf

So, can you re-use artificial grass? Yes, artificial turf can be repurposed and reused, and some of the latest types of turf are 100% recyclable. 

That said, when most people talk about recycled turf, what they’re usually referring to is actually used artificial turf. This comes from sports fields and stadiums where it’s no longer needed but still has life left in it. Instead of going to a landfill, this turf gets repurposed (re-used) for new projects. (It can even be re-used for new sports fields, like the one below.)

The Reality of Lined vs. “All Green” Used Turf

Most used artificial grass for sale comes with lines and markings—leftovers from football, soccer, and other sports fields. This works great for customers needing an affordable option for sports facilities, training areas, and so on. But what about landscaping and other projects? While cutting and reseaming lined turf to remove markings takes effort, it’s far from impossible.

However, if you’re looking for unmarked, “all green used turf”, that’s available too. This type often comes from less-worn areas like out-of-bounds zones or unused rolls from sports fields. It may also be sourced from non-sporting venues like exhibition centers or commercial spaces where aesthetics were the primary concern.

All green used turf without lines and markings is versatile. It works well for all types of residential and commercial use, church landscaping, public parks, and more. It can also be more affordable than you’d expect, compared to installing new turf.

Quick Tip: Reusing Infill from Used Turf

If you’re replacing artificial turf, it’s worth considering whether you can reuse the infill too. Depending on the type of infill and how the turf was used, reusing it might be a good option.

The condition of the infill is important, though. If it’s too degraded, it won’t perform well in its new application. You’ll need to sift and clean it to remove debris like dirt, organic material, and broken-down rubber. Specialized equipment can do this, but it’s an extra step in the process.

Different types of infill have different lifespans and performance characteristics. For example:

• Crumb rubber, which is made from recycled tires, is fairly durable and can often be reused with minimal processing.
• Sand-based infills are generally easier to reuse than organic infills, which can break down over time.
• Coated sand infills, which are sometimes used in high-performance applications, can also be reused, but they may require re-coating to maintain their performance.

Think about the specific requirements of the new application. If you’re using the turf in a putting green, you’ll want infill that provides a smooth, firm surface. If the used turf is going in a playground, a softer infill might be preferable for safety reasons.

ReTURF: Your Source for Used Artificial Turf

At ReTURF, we provide direct-to-consumer access to high-quality used artificial turf that we’ve recovered from sports fields and stadiums across the country. We offer two grades of used turf:

• Basic – This is typically 10-12 year old sports field turf. It’s got some miles on it, but it’s still in perfectly good shape for a second life in applications like batting cages or dog runs. For the right project, it’s a highly cost-effective option.
• Premium – This lightly used sports field turf might have only seen a few seasons of play before being replaced. Some of our Premium Turf even comes with special features like a thatch or root zone, which add extra support and durability. This is the kind of used turf you’d want to use, for example, if you’re working on a backyard putting green or a landscape project.

Whether you’re looking to reuse artificial grass for a batting cage, a playground, or an outdoor entertaining area, we’ve got the right product for you. And don’t forget—if you’re looking for used turf infill, we offer that as well.

With ReTURF, you can give perfectly good used turf a new purpose, while helping the environment and saving a lot of money in the process. That’s a win-win in our book.

Working on an artificial turf project? We can help you figure out the best way to do it. Give us a call at (828) 518-5787 or click here to contact us—our professional team of turf experts is ready to answer any questions you have and assist you with your project planning needs.