does not meet any of the definitions of single-use plastic . ( This proposal has since been withdrawn ).
In mainstream media , barely a week goes by without someone launching another tirade or campaign against artificial grass .
Believe it or not , I welcome all these endeavours with open arms . They give us the perfect opportunity to attempt to set the record straight and make a more balanced case for using this product .
Quality over quantity I don ’ t believe any self-respecting builder wants to see the country blanketed in plastic . Even the team at Artificial Lawn Company actively works against its excessive use . People have been saying the same thing about concrete for years - yet there is no talk about banning concrete .
There is no either-or choice with artificial grass . Rather , we see it as an alternative ground covering material that can be incorporated into an overall landscape design in the same way as paving , gravel , or any other aggregate . It ’ s fully porous , and in most cases can be much better than concreting or paving an entire garden .
The colour , texture , durability , and longevity of artificial grass are all features that make it as good a material as any . And if you take into account its low maintenance qualities . It is ideal when creating homes for older people , those with disabilities , on social housing projects and helping most families with pets or children who will otherwise struggle to maintain and grow a real lawn .
Biodiversity does not have to be compromised . Clever landscaping can incorporate native plants , bug hotels , feeders and other installations that attract insect life to revive and rebalance whatever may have been previously lost .
Quality is key - when cheaper , low-grade fake grass is used , issues around poor performance and longterm sustainability start to be raised . Chances are the cheaper fake grass is simply hiding a whole heap of other issues under the surface .
However , a premium artificial lawn product can still have that immediate aesthetic finish and will continue to have it for many years to come with minimum maintenance required . We have customers and lawns that are still going strong after 20 years .
GARDEN DESIGN
Working towards greater sustainability While the artificial lawn industry is investing in improving the recycling infrastructure for the product , we make sure that our own lawns are as durable and hard-wearing as possible to get the maximum use out of them , with a lifespan of up to 20 years and more . Artificial Lawn Company has recently launched its own fully recyclable product . And in 2024 we will be working with “ Lets Recycle Artificial Grass ” to recycle all our latex backed products at its east midlands centre . This would include offcuts and roll ends , trimmings from our own installation and any old lawns that we lift up and remove .
What those with responsibility for public and private landscape products need to be aware of are cheaper fake grass products . They don ’ t fulfil the same function as a premium lawn , become quickly worn out , and ultimately end up in a landfill . Too often , fake grass can be seen as a quick fix to make a garden project look instantaneously good - unfortunately , that ‘ Instagram ’ immediacy never lasts with a poorquality product or installation .
Fake grass is not a quick fix or a replacement for natural grass . Artificial lawn is a viable alternative where growing natural grass is not possible and an alternative to concreting or paving for an ultimate low maintenance solution . There is a difference . As a professional , it ’ s always disappointing to see fake grass laid out as a cover-up , either with a cheap product or poor installation - it immediately makes me wonder what might be underneath , and I know immediately the raft of problems those with responsibility for maintenance will be dealing with in time . I would not want to compromise the longevity of any installation with a quick fix .
As part of an overall landscaping project , premium artificial grass can be specified with biodiversity , sustainability and practicality in mind . www . artificiallawn . co . uk
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