Synthetic sports surfaces including synthetic turf and athletics tracks have been in use now for over 50 years and for most of this time, when they needed to be replaced, they have been lifted and disposed of in the most economical and convenient way, including things like landfill, re-purposing and incineration.
Today, society is much more environmentally aware, and this is encouraging suppliers, governments and policy makers to look at new ways of doing business. Legislators are beginning to make policies which require that sustainability and full life-cycle impacts are considered in procurement and supply chains.
SAPCA’s position on recycling of synthetic sports surfacing will promote best practice to our members but will also advise facility owners and operators along with the end users of facilities. This approach will aim to ensure that all those involved in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and most importantly, those dealing with end-of-life sports facilities understand their responsibilities.
In 2024 SAPCA developed this position statement as clear and concise guidance on the legal responsibilities regarding the collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of waste synthetic sports surfaces. SAPCA will also continue to promote and where necessary evolve this best practice guidance working alongside all those working within the industry and the devolved government agencies across the four nations within the UK. For a copy of the guide please click on the download button below.
One of SAPCA’s affiliate members, the European Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), has published two guidance documents outlining processes in the disposal of synthetic turf and its component parts, and these documents are supported by SAPCA.
The 2021 “ESTC Guide to Processing End of Life Synthetic Turf Sports Surfaces” is a practical guide to the key issues to consider when replacing and disposing of a synthetic turf surface, providing options and solutions to assist decision making when processing the waste material in a sustainable way and environmentally friendly way. It highlights current best practice and gives an overview of the legal obligations that need to be considered before a surface is disposed of. For a copy of the guide please click here.
The 2023 ’ESTC End of life guide’ provides comprehensive information on companies in Europe that are actively offering recycling services for synthetic turf systems, enabling interested parties to easily identify and access recycling services. For a copy of the guide please click here.
As the synthetic surfacing industry continues to respond to the environmental agenda, and introduces new and innovative products and processes, these guidance documents will be kept under frequent review and updated editions will be published.