How choosing Artificial Turf over Natural Grass saves money and the environment

Artificial grass is the new grass! This is the mantra of citizens who support the shift from real to synthetic turf. While different opinions exist on the “authentic” look of artificial grass, many agree that revolutionizing how homeowners and the public view their landscape will ease various environmental and financial concerns with real grass. Two main causes drive the demand for artificial grass: the environmental and financial costs of sustaining hectares of natural turf.

REDUCES WATER BILLS

With a total area of 163,812 square kilometers, American lawns are so extensive that they cover land three times wider than any irrigated crop in the country! Some even call U.S. lawns the biggest and most wasteful single crop because they must be well-manicured for natural turf to reduce carbon monoxide in the air, and keeping them in healthy condition requires 900 liters of water per home per day.

Simply put, lawns are enormous water-guzzlers, which is quite problematic as an increasing number of states experience fresh water shortage due to drought and continued rise in residential and commercial water demand.

A homeowner who replaces natural grass with an artificial counterpart will save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year, depending on lawn area and water costs. Experts estimate the savings from artificial grass to be at least $250 a year at $.005 per water gallon, although other residents stated that they spend around $800 to a $1000 per year if they run their sprinklers for 30 to 45 minutes every day and if water costs $0.33 cents per gallon.

The total expenses that can be saved if natural lawns are converted into artificial landscape for residences and commercial spaces may reach millions of dollars for the entire country.

DECREASES MAINTENANCE COSTS

If you use artificial grass, maintenance costs will be reduced as well. A good electrical lawnmower, for instance, costs $250 and up, according to ConsumerReports.org. Not to mention, natural turfs require fertilizer and pesticides that will cost hundreds of dollars more every year. Synthetic turf does away with all the expenditures connected to a well-manicured lawn.

SAVES TIME

You should also consider how an artificial grass saves your time, which means you’re saving money as well. Whether you’re mowing your lawn or paying someone else to do it for you, a natural turf consumes time, time that can be spent either to earn money or relax. It’s better to have synthetic grass which you don’t spend time and energy on for watering, cutting, and fertilizing.

LOWER SOIL RUNOFFS

Artificial turf can also lessen environmental problems. As they require no soil, continuous rain on synthetic grass will not cause soil runoff which can spread harmful chemicals from fertilizers insecticides. Since fake grass keeps its form whether there’s a tornado or heavy rains, it helps prevent erosion as well.

LESS POLLUTION

The latest synthetic grass does not leach chemicals from its plastic components. Instead, artificial turf diminishes pollution as it eliminates the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals required to keep natural grass well-manicured and healthy. All-year-round, your artificial turf will look like it’s always summer and amply watered.

GROUND COVERAGE REDUCES HEAT

Grass decreases heat from the sun. Instead of simply removing your natural grass as it consumes too much water, replacing it with artificial grass keeps the soil covered and decreases heat coming from the ground and getting blown into your home. An artificial landscape may even improve the circulation of air around your property.

Artificial grass offers practical solutions to the environmental and financial costs of a properly maintained natural lawn. It also helps support water-use rules and other control measures to boost water management and decrease water supply problems states are beginning to implement. If there’s the right time to buy artificial turf, today is truly one of the best times.

 

Sources:
California Lawn Watering Economics, Priceonomics.com
Gardens: Artificial grass, TheGuardian.com
How Much Does Watering My Lawn Cost?, FreeBy50.com