The Environmental Benefits of Artificial Grass
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Several factors have contributed to the increased adoption and acceptance rates of artificial grass. One factor is the price. People looking to buy artificial grass typically ask the question: “How long before there is a positive return on the initial investment?� Well, the answer to that question varies dependent upon (a) maintenance and (b) water costs. For individual who retain the services of a gardener and pay to have the lawn mowed, the initial investment if recouped more quickly than for those who do not. Similarly, individuals who reside in drier climates and are forced to regularly water their lawns are going to recoup the investment more quickly than people who do not.
Given the variables associated with an artificial grass cost-benefit analysis, it is important to explore other factors that could be considered benefits to purchasing and installing artificial grass. Environmental concerns fit the bill. Consider that individuals who buy artificial grass no longer require pesticides or other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Apart from the cost saving considerations, there is a shortage of water in many regions (and soon, universally) that is offset by installing artificial grass. It is also the case that most lawn mowers are gas-powered, which means that the act of mowing the lawn is contributing carbon emissions to a degree that is surprising: using the average petrol-fueled lawn mower for one-hour contributes just as much pollution as a 100 mile car trip, according to the EPA.
It goes without saying that the modern age represents the height of ecological and environmental concern when compared with any other period throughout history. The concepts of global warming and greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions have served to create an awareness of humanity’s footprint on the world and how it’s decisions have a direct impact on global health. While the implications of this awareness can be quite scary and lead to doomsday prophecies, the fact that humanity’s collective eyes have been opened to a fundamental reality has prompted many positive changes.
One such change is the introduction of environmentally friendly products. One such product is artificial grass. The idea of artificial grass has been slowly adopted as an acceptable substitute for natural sod. But the process of adoption has taken decades. This was partially due to the quality and price of the available artificial grass product, and partially due to the basic tenet that that which is natural is preferable to that which is not.
Think about the environment when considering landscaping options and buy artificial grass. The quality has improved, the cost has decreased and the ecological habitat called Earth will be grateful.
