Mass balancing for synthetic turf surfaces - Professional recycling and disposal
In recent year, a great deal of attention has been given to the recycling of synthetic turf systems, which is a positive development for environmental and climate protection reasons. In the process of replacing the turf carpet of a synthetic turf system, or even in conjunction with an elastic layer, a significant volume of waste is generated that must be disposed of appropriately. For a long time, the old systems were simply incinerated or ended up in landfill sites, frequently in locations outside of Europe, where they gradually decayed.
However, this approach was neither particularly sustainable nor environmentally friendly, but rather the exact opposite. Given this, it is imperative that today efforts are made to recycle as many components of a synthetic turf system as possible. In recent years, there has been a notable development in this area, with the introduction of several effective options. Specialist companies separate the components of the synthetic turf system and are able to recycle most of them.
Some synthetic turf manufacturers are also working hard to incorporate as much recyclate, i.e. recycled end-of-life synthetic turf, as possible into their company's new synthetic turf surfaces without compromising on quality.
Many tenders require professional recycling of end-of-life synthetic turf systems
Professional recycling of an end-of-life synthetic turf system is now standard practice and is required by many tenders and funding programmes. Before refurbishing the surface or the entire system, many operators of synthetic turf sports field are faced with the question of how to organise the professional disposal of the worn-out surface. Naturally, ensuring that the disposal process is as sustainable as possible involves costs. In order to be able to estimate these costs well in advance and to take them fully into account in the budget, mass balancing before disposal is actually unavoidable.
This is the only way to determine the quantities to be disposed of and the proportion of the respective components of the end-of-life synthetic turf system. ISP GmbH – Institut für Sportstättenprüfung offers you such professional mass balancing services, and after analysing a few samples of your synthetic turf sports field, we can provide a reliable estimate of the scope and costs of disposal (and thus also of recyclability).
RAL Quality Assurance Association specifies recycling rate
The RAL Gütegemeinschaft Kunststoffbeläge und Kunststoffrasensysteme in Sportfreianlagen e. V. (RAL Quality Assurance Association for Synthetic Surfaces and Synthetic Turf Systems in Outdoor Sports Facilities) has thoroughly outlined the requirements for sustainable recycling and professional mass balancing in ‘RAL-GZ 944 - Synthetic Turf Systems in Outdoor Sports Facilities’. A recycling rate has also been specified for individual components of a synthetic turf system.
This means that the RAL Quality Assurance Association has established clear requirements for providers regarding the disposal and recycling of end-of-life synthetic turf surfaces with the objective of establishing appropriate standards within this domain too. Furthermore, it is explicitly outlined how samples are to be taken from the end-of-life synthetic turf system prior to mass balancing and which laboratory tests are subsequently to be conducted on the samples. This means that clear specifications have been established in this area. Consequently, manufacturers of new synthetic turf systems are obliged to take subsequent disposal into consideration as early as the production stage.
The mass balancing yields a comprehensive list of the individual components and a detailed assessment of their quantity and recyclability. Based on this list, a disposal service provider for synthetic turf systems will be able to prepare a suitable offer, which can then be included in the budget for the refurbishment. Operators of club-owned sports pitches in particular benefit from mass balancing, as it enables them to accurately estimate the disposal and the associated costs.
ServicesHave your products tested.
As a laboratory certified by the RAL Quality Assurance Association, ISP GmbH – Institut für Sportstättenprüfung is pleased to offer a comprehensive and professional mass balancing service for your old synthetic turf system.
We take the samples and analyse them in our in-house laboratory, clearly identifying the individual components and providing a realistic estimate of the quantity to be disposed of.
Contact us
We will be happy to advise you on the procedure and background to the review of the refurbishment projects.
(Old) floor testing
| Indoor facilities | Outdoor facilities |
|---|---|
| Synthetic turf | Sports function |
| Synthetic surfaces | Protective function |
| Sports hall flooring | Visual assessment |
| Impact protection walls | Refurbishment recommendation |