The mission of the SOMA Action Climate Athletic Field Working Group is to educate the public and local decision makers on the facts of natural turf grass versus synthetic/artificial turf. Working with communities from around NJ and the country, we continually assess the latest events and research to bring accurate information on this important topic to members of our community.

Natural versus Artificial Turf

  • Installation: According to recent comparisons, artificial turf costs 3-10 times more to install than natural grass.  In most cases an existing grass field does not require “installation,” just renovation through improved maintenance.

    Maintenance:  When the cost of replacing the plastic rug every 10 years is factored in, maintaining an artificial turf field costs 2-10 times more per year than maintaining natural grass. (Here is a recent cost comparison, starting at 27:50. For more information, see References)

  • To prevent flooding and protect drinking water, the NJDEP recently enacted new Stormwater Rules.  These rules apply to new artificial turf, but not to existing grass fields.  Building a turf field will now cost more than previously because of new requirements to store and treat stormwater.  

    • An artificial turf field is an impervious structure (NJDEP).  Since the base of a turf field is highly compacted during construction and is fitted with an underdrain, rain cannot soak into the ground and recharge the aquifer.

    • Turf fields are designed to shed water rapidly through their drain system.  However, municipal systems are “rarely able to accept directly the huge volumes of stormwater” draining from multi-acre turf fields. This means flow controls and storage ponds or underground tanks are necessary.  

    • Larger detention areas will now be required because a) with climate change we expect 30% more rain in Essex County; b) storage areas must accommodate 100-year storm volumes; c) new rules require that, compared with the pre-existing grass fields, stormwater volume leaving the site must be reduced, groundwater recharge must be increased, and water quality must be improved.  

    Field location impacts stormwater management cost, and risk.  Sites at the bottom of slopes have higher water tables and receive more surface flow than hilltop sites. 

    • Surface flow from outside the project perimeter increases the volume which must be managed, and carries debris that can clog drainage.  An auxiliary drainage system may be required.

    • An elevated water table or substantial groundwater fluctuation reduces underground storage capacity, and can cause subsidence of the stone base of a turf field.

  • Usable hours

    • Turf field vendors claim fields can be used 3000 hours per year.

    • However, the main demand for playing fields in most communities is concentrated in the 10-12 week spring and fall youth sports seasons.  Since children are also in school at this time, field use is limited to after school and weekend time slots.

    • As a result, maximum scheduled field usage in communities in New Jersey and elsewhere is actually in the 800-1500 hours/year range.  

    • This is a level of use well-maintained grass can support. 

    Wet fields

    Heat

    • Heat reduces artificial turf usability.

    • In direct sunlight, surface temperatures of turf can reach 160F or more. 

    • A series of surface measurements of Underhill turf field and adjacent grass June-September 2024 found the artificial turf surface was reliably 50F hotter than grass.

    • To protect player health, some communities close turf fields when air temperature exceeds 85F and humidity is 60% or more. If fields must be closed because of heat, this reduces field space and increases pressure on grass fields at the hottest time of year.

    • Heat generated by artificial turf affects the temperature of nearby buildings, increasing the need for air conditioning. Nearby trees and grass will require more water.

    • An artificial turf field generates 200,000-500,000 pounds of unrecyclable plastic waste every 10 years. For about $120,000 FieldTurf will remove an old field, but “this work can only be performed in preparation for the installation of a new FieldTurf field.”

    • Discarded turf fields are often dumped in landfills or on empty fields where they pollute the surroundings.

    • Despite manufacturers’ claims, artificial turf is unrecyclable because it contains mixed materials.

    • Some turf purveyors claim to “recycle” field components by re-selling customers some of their old tire crumb back to them under a new name. The “FieldTurf CoolPlay” infill on Underhill is 50% reused tire crumb (much smaller fragments that disperse more easily with wind and water).