42% of the US is experiencing regular drought and many national and local governments are calling for reductions in the use of water, pesticides and fertilizers in recognition of their risks to the environment and our shared future. That’s where TenCate Grass and our synthetic turf products come in.
Today, the demand for synthetic turf as a sustainable replacement for lawns, backyards, and athletic fields is growing rapidly. But until now, there has been no ideal end-of-life solution for artificial turf in America. We’re changing that.
Today, the demand for synthetic turf as a sustainable replacement for lawns, backyards, and athletic fields is growing rapidly. But until now, there has been no ideal end-of-life solution for artificial turf in America. We’re changing that.
Starting in late-2022, TenCate aims to remove 50 artificial turf fields from California that have reached the end of their useful lives. Through the TenCate Turf Recycling Solutions pilot program, we are putting the plastic back into the supply chain.
We will receive the old turf, separate the materials, and send the plastics by railcar to an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certified advanced recycling facility in Baytown, TX. There, the plastic from the old turf will be processed and turned into polyethylene pellets. Those pellets become feedstock for new products.
This product-to-product recycling helps reduce the dependency on raw materials and manufacturing of virgin plastic from fossil fuels. It also prevents still-useful materials from being wasted in landfills by ultimately turning aged turf into feedstock for new products. We are exploring the opportunities to participate in a closed loop system in which the recycled plastic is fed back into our own turf production.
Before installing new turf, the aged turf is cut and removed by TenCate.
TURF TRUISM
The lifespan of artificial turf is usually between 8-15 years, and a typical sports field can save up to 1 million gallons of water every year!
It is sent to our processing facility to separate the sand and rubber infill from the plastic base layers and artificial grass.
TURF TRUISM
Until now there has been no circular recycling solution for turf.
All materials are sorted for cleaning and recycling, and the turf is shredded and packaged for transport to Cyclx to prepare it for recycling.
TURF TRUISM
Yard waste, like grass clippings, account for 7% of material that enters landfills!
Once Cyclyx processes the turf carpet for greater density, it is sent to ExxonMobil’s ISCC PLUS-certified facility in Texas.
TURF TRUISM
The ISCC PLUS certification program ensures companies comply with globally recognized ecological and social sustainability requirements, voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Using ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology, the plastic from the turf is broken down into its base molecules and mixed with other materials to create high-quality feedstock for polyethylene and other products.
TURF TRUISM
In addition to turf, polyethylene is used for common products like water bottles, food packaging, toys and toothbrushes.
The certified circular plastic pellets are sold to manufacturers that will use them to create new products, including turf, reducing the need for virgin plastics and diverting valuable waste from landfills.
TURF TRUISM
Cyclyx, an integral partner in our Turf Recycling Solutions Program, has a mission to increase the recyclability of plastic from 10% to 90%.
Before installing new turf, the aged turf is cut and removed by TenCate.
TURF TRUISM
The lifespan of artificial turf is usually between 8-15 years, and a typical sports field can save up to 1 million gallons of water every year!
It is sent to our processing facility to separate the sand and rubber infill from the plastic base layers and artificial grass.
TURF TRUISM
Until now there has been no circular recycling solution for turf.
All materials are sorted for cleaning and recycling, and the turf is shredded and packaged for transport to Cyclx to prepare it for recycling.
TURF TRUISM
Yard waste, like grass clippings, account for 7% of material that enters landfills!
Once Cyclyx processes the turf carpet for greater density, it is sent to ExxonMobil’s ISCC PLUS-certified facility in Texas.
TURF TRUISM
The ISCC PLUS certification program ensures companies comply with globally recognized ecological and social sustainability requirements, voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reductions and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Using ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling technology, the plastic from the turf is broken down into its base molecules and mixed with other materials to create high-quality feedstock for polyethylene and other products.
TURF TRUISM
In addition to turf, polyethylene is used for common products like water bottles, food packaging, toys and toothbrushes.
The certified circular plastic pellets are sold to manufacturers that will use them to create new products, including turf, reducing the need for virgin plastics and diverting valuable waste from landfills.
TURF TRUISM
Cyclyx, an integral partner in our Turf Recycling Solutions Program, has a mission to increase the recyclability of plastic from 10% to 90%.
We’ve partnered with ExxonMobil to leverage their exclusive Exxtend™ advanced recycling technology to jumpstart this pilot program.
Both TenCate Grass and ExxonMobil are members of the Cyclyx consortium, which aims to dramatically boost plastic circularity. ExxonMobil was the logical partner for proving the feasibility of turf recycling solutions. Their technology is operating commercially, and the infrastructure to ship used turf by rail to their ISCC Plus certified recycling facility already exists.
With these important pieces in place, we’ve been able to launch our turf recycling pilot program quickly and efficiently. We can take action today — and not wait to make a positive impact in our industry and on the environment.
TenCate is taking ambitious steps to solve circularity barriers and find ways to repurpose turf into usable feedstock for new products. Our products have always been meant to tackle pressing environmental issues, such as water scarcity and groundwater contamination from the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Building circularity into our artificial grass products helps us double down on sustainability.
TenCate Grass first tackled turf recycling in Europe. Our U.S. pilot program is the natural next step. Now, we can proudly say that we are an industry leader, with the only circular solution in the United States and the only one in the world that uses this particular process.
Interested in partnering for truly circular turf removal, installation, or just want to learn more? Please get in touch! We are initiating our recycling program in California, with plans to expand nationwide in the near future.
