Quantifying the Sustainability of Football (Soccer) Pitches: A Comparison of Artificial and Natural Turf Pitches with a Focus on Microplastics and Their Environmental Impacts

Lukas Zeilerbauer (), Johannes Lindorfer, Pauline Fuchs, Melanie Knöbl, Asle Ravnås, Trygve Maldal, Eimund Gilje, Christian Paulik and Jörg Fischer
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Lukas Zeilerbauer: Institute for Chemical Technology of Organic Materials (CTO), Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
Johannes Lindorfer: Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
Pauline Fuchs: Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
Melanie Knöbl: Energieinstitut an der Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
Asle Ravnås: GOE-Ip Production AS, 4046 Hafrsfjord, Norway
Trygve Maldal: GOE-Ip Production AS, 4046 Hafrsfjord, Norway
Eimund Gilje: GOE-Ip Production AS, 4046 Hafrsfjord, Norway
Christian Paulik: Institute for Chemical Technology of Organic Materials (CTO), Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria
Jörg Fischer: Institute of Polymeric Materials and Testing (IPMT), Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz, Austria

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 8, 1-20

Abstract: Recently, the European Commission announced their intention to restrict intentionally added microplastics to reduce the amount emitted by 0.5 million tons per year. Findings on microplastics indicate toxic behavior for biota, yet many mechanisms remain in the dark. Microplastics also pose a challenge in life cycle assessment as methods are actively being developed. Considering this recent decision, an anticipatory life cycle assessment was performed, comparing the impacts of natural grass pitches with artificial grass pitches using bio-based infill materials as well as polymeric ones made from recycled and virgin materials. The aim was to confirm if microplastics are in fact a considerable environmental hazard when compared to more traditional impacts. The microplastics’ impact was modeled after the MarILCA group’s work on the new midpoint of physical effects on biota. The results showed that the influence of the microplastics remains negligible when using the method provided. For most midpoint categories, the wood-based infill showed the best results, often closely tied with the infill made from recycled rubber from tires. A sensitivity analysis revealed that neither the physical effects on biota nor the greenhouse gas emissions from degradation in a marine environment are deciding factors when assessing the endpoint of ecosystem damage.

Keywords: natural grass; sport pitch; life cycle assessment; microplastics; MarILCA; endpoint analysis; sensitivity analysis; anticipatory LCA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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