Synthetic Turf Research & Photos
Results of our research
How hot does it get? We checked the surface temperature at Council's existing plastic turf field at Bernie Mullane Reserve, Kellyville.
On 26th January 2019, the ambient temperature was 39˚C, natural grass in full sun was 44-45˚C and the plastic turf was a staggering 79-81˚C!
On 4th March 2019, the ambient temperature was a cooler 28˚C, but the plastic turf was still burning hot at 69-71˚C.
Fire Risk - This amateur youtube video demonstrates the nature of the chemical fire which results from burning plastic grass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cGj0VoatLI
Chemical pollution - We have inspected the plastic playing surface at Bernie Mullane Reserve, Kellyville where there are 2 synthetic playing fields top-dressed with green plastic granules. The granules are migrating from the playing field surface, polluting adjacent natural grass and being washed into stormwater drains. The following photos were taken in March 2019.
Plastic turf with green plastic infill, Bernie Mullane Reserve, Kellyville
Green plastic infill granules spreading from the playing field onto the perimeter path
Plastic granules collecting around one of the drains
A closer look at the plastic granules collecting around the drain
Plastic infill granules polluting natural grass adjacent to perimeter path, outside the playing field fence
Plastic granules about to be washed into a drain
Plastic granules entering another drain
Granules polluting natural grass adjacent to perimeter path, outside the playing field fence.
Granules polluting another drain
A large number of plastic granules polluting the grass adjacent to the perimeter path, outside the playing field fence
These plastic granules were more than 10m from the playing field
Plastic granules spread over a large area approx 5 - 8m from the playing field