Team turf Environment & Sustainability

TEAM TURF are proud to work alongside some of the largest manufacturers in the world. It is important to us that our suppliers are not only innovative, but have a clear strategy around sustainability and lowering our impact on the environment.

SPORT GROUP ASIA PACIFIC – TARGETS AND COMMITMENT

The majority of Teamturfs’ artificial grass surfaces are manufactured and supplied by APT in Melbourne, a subsidiary of Sport Group, the worlds largest business dedicated to sport surfaces.

Sport Group have put sustainability at the centre of their business strategy.

This includes a variety of targets which establish a clear business pathway and outline future goals that will protect the business, society, and environment.

RE4ORM – TURF RECOVERY AND RECYCLING

Sport Group Asia Pacific have become a founding partner of RE4ORM – Australasia’s first synthetic turf recovery & recycling facility. This provides another example of Sport Group’s commitment to sustainability.

RE4ORM is an Australasian first: a sustainability service that diverts synthetic turf from landfill through the recovery, reuse, recycling and reduction of sand, rubber AND plastic to create products that can be employed within the synthetic turf and other industries.

RE4ORM’s circular motivation is closing the loop by utilising Australia’s first synthetic turf recovery & recycling facility in Barnawartha, near the Victoria-NSW border. The innovative purpose built facility, separates the individual components of synthetic turf, reduces waste to landfill and significantly decreases the CO₂ emissions released in landfill. RE4ORM’s service will consume all synthetic turf, from used to excess newly installed surfaces, with minimal residual waste.

SCHMITZ PROPLAY® 100% RECYCLED SHOCKPAD

Our exclusive PopPlay® shockpad system for underneath our turf systems is made from recycled residual foam repurposed into shockpad. It is manufactured by Schmitz Foam Products, a fourth generation family business founded in 1935 in Netherlands.

All Proplay® products are made of quality foams that no longer have a meaningful purpose in their particular industries. These foams come from industries such as the automotive, packaging, medical, sports, leisure and construction industries. This provides the perfect raw material for high quality shock pads and drainage pads and prevents them ending up in land-filll or incinerators.

When a Proplay® pad is no longer needed for its original application, the material can be reused in another sports field or playground or for another purpose. The continuous loop of giving quality foam a purpose.

HEAVY METAL FREE

Our yarns do not contain any heavy metals or PFAS. In the past, heavy metals were used a lot on yarns because they are the best to create absolutely bulletproof colourfastness, an example of this is Lead Chromate which use to be a common pigment in yarns. More recently, there have been numerous calls to ban PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) because they persist in nature (don’t break down). PFAS were previously used by all synthetic turf manufacturers as process aids in making yarn – in fact most manufacturers still use PFAS in their yarns – we do not.

MINIMISING WASTEAGE
Teamturf are conscious of our environment and are constantly pushing initiatives to reduce waste in our industry.

PLANNING RESPONSIBLY

It is essential to plan any project carefully. This involves assessing the site and determining the size and shape of the turf required.

This will help to ensure that the right amount of materials are ordered, reducing the risk of wastage.

ONLY USING QUALITY MATERIALS THAT LAST THE DISTANCE

It is important we only work with reputable suppliers who provide high-quality materials. This helps ensure that the turf, pad and materials are durable and long-lasting, reducing the need for replacement and minimising wastage.

ENSURING QUALITY WORKMANSHIP

It is important to ensure that the installation process is carried out correctly. This involves preparing the site properly, installing the turf carefully, and ensuring that it is properly maintained over time. This will help to ensure that the turf lasts for as long as possible, reducing the need for replacement and minimising wastage.

REPURPOSING SAND

We are currently in discussions to repurpose the sand from artificial turf to reduce waste and minimise our carbon footprint. By carefully extracting and processing the sand from old turf installations, and reusing it in various construction and landscaping projects, we can extend its lifespan and minimise the need for new materials. We are dedicated to responsible practices, and will continue to contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet.

REPURPOSING TURF

There are many ways to repurpose artificial turf, and by doing so, we can reduce waste and give new life to our turf and avoid this ended up in landfill.
We are constantly thinking of ways to repurpose our turf offcuts and plan our installations to ensure as little wasteage as possible.
Some examples of re-using our offcuts;

• Teamturf have provided offcuts of our turf to a small, local New Zealand owned business who make and sells door mats.
• Teamturf supply the SPCA with our turf offcuts free of charge to be used as pet beds, toilet areas or in kennel runs.
• We donate our turf offcuts to schools to use in the classroom, for DIY projects or to use around the school.
• In areas prone to erosion, artificial turf can be repurposed to stabilize the soil. It can be used on slopes, embankments, or construction sites to prevent soil erosion and promote vegetation growth.

RESPECTFUL CLEAN UP

It is not uncommon to have some leftover materials from the installation process, which is typically minimal and unavoidable for any type of product installation, including artificial grass. Rest assured, we make sure to clean the site as thoroughly and respectfully as possible.