en.Wedoany.com Reported - A nationwide research initiative co-led by the University of the West of Scotland aims to find sustainable methods for recycling sports artificial turf at the end of its lifespan.
Millions of square meters of artificial turf are removed each year, an environmental issue that is becoming increasingly severe. The project, named "ReSurface," is funded at nearly £1.3 million over three years and aims to explore how the UK can build a more effective and environmentally friendly system for managing and recycling synthetic turf materials.
Currently, recycling options are very limited, and much of the discarded turf is transported to specialized facilities far from the installation sites. The resulting transportation needs increase costs and lead to carbon emissions, while existing processing capacity struggles to keep up with demand.
The sports industry is seeking to improve its environmental performance, with organizations like FIFA emphasizing the need for a mature recycling infrastructure by 2028 capable of handling all discarded artificial turf. This project will investigate new methods for recovering valuable materials from waste turf. Researchers will focus on separating components such as infill, backing layers, and plastics that make up modern synthetic turf systems, while also finding new commercial uses for the recycled outputs.
The project will also study the operational model of a future recycling network across the UK. By comparing different infrastructure scenarios, the research team hopes to identify methods that reduce environmental impact while remaining economically viable.
Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the project is led by academics from Loughborough University and the University of the West of Scotland, with partners from the recycling industry, the sports sector, and policy-making bodies. The involvement of the University of the West of Scotland is coordinated by Dr. Phillip Cowie, with team members including Dr. Kiri Rodgers and Emeritus Professor Andrew Hursthouse.
Dr. Phillip Cowie stated that artificial sports turf plays an important role in supporting sports activities across the UK, but the environmental challenges posed by its disposal must be addressed. Millions of square meters of artificial turf are removed each year, recycling options remain limited, and many materials are difficult to recycle and reuse. This project aims to solve this problem. Emeritus Professor Andrew Hursthouse added that the ReSurface project brings together expertise from academia, industry, and policy to develop practical solutions for transforming the recycling management of synthetic turf. By creating new recycling technologies, finding higher-value uses for recycled materials, and exploring effective national recycling infrastructure, the project aims to transition towards a truly circular approach, thereby reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and delivering long-term environmental benefits for the sports industry.
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