Stopping Microplastic Leaks from Artificial Turf Starts at Construction: Monitoring and Recommendations at Chiyoda City's Sotobori Park General Ground
Artificial turf has many advantages in cost, maintenance and use after rain, and it is used at many facilities, mainly sports facilities. In recent years, however, it has become clear that artificial turf leaks into the environment as microplastics, and awareness of the need for countermeasures is growing. More local governments that own public sports facilities are now paying attention to leaks from artificial turf and considering measures.
Pirika, Inc. (Pirika) was consulted by Chiyoda City, Tokyo. At the Sotobori Park General Ground in Chiyoda City, we monitored and evaluated leakage countermeasures during construction of the artificial turf, and made recommendations.
1. Planning leakage countermeasures before construction
The Sotobori Park General Ground, managed by Chiyoda City, used to be a natural grass field. Closures to protect the grass in winter and poor drainage after rain kept it from being used as often as it could be. To keep the outdoor sports space in good condition, the city began considering artificial turf. The city considered microplastic leakage countermeasures a must for installing the turf, and wrote leakage countermeasures into the specifications when it placed the order with the contractor. Within this work, Pirika served as an advisor on measures against turf leaks until completion.
As a result, even before construction, durable artificial turf was chosen, and the contractor prepared and installed its own filters for the side gutters and nets to stop scattering.
Planning leakage countermeasures before construction
2. Monitoring leakage countermeasures during construction
As a third party with expertise in the environmental field, Pirika monitored and evaluated the measures the contractor took during construction to limit turf leaks.
The contractor installed gutter filters before the catch basins, tape over gaps in gutter covers, nets against scattering at retaining walls, and sheets to keep rubber chips from scattering onto the sidewalk. Where a measure was not sufficient, we asked for improvement, and we advised on effective measures for places where leakage was a concern.
Monitoring leakage countermeasures during construction
3. Recommendations for specific measures against turf leaks
To prevent leakage of the installed turf, we compiled recommendations using specific examples. To keep turf pieces and infill from moving outside, it is effective to fit gutters with suitable filters and to place turf covers over gutter lids. We also advised on materials and filters suited to each facility, and on points to watch when installing them. Other ways to limit movement include not using infill in non-play areas, and leaving a buffer space of concrete or soil between the turf field and fences or drains.
Once people use the field, it is important to place mats or air blowers at the entrances so that users can remove turf pieces and infill after use, and to properly remove and clean up turf pieces and infill during maintenance. We also made specific recommendations on operating the facility, including how often to inspect it and what to watch for.
4. Conclusion
To stop leaks from artificial turf, it is important to start countermeasures early, from the stage of considering artificial turf. During construction too, facility managers and third parties should not leave it all to the contractor, and should take part actively and monitor the countermeasures. When each turf facility applies proper measures and operates accordingly, it can help prevent artificial turf (microplastics) from leaking into nature.
Pirika will continue to survey the situation and recommend countermeasures at many facilities to help solve the problem of leaks from artificial turf.
Organization: Chiyoda City Office, Roads and Parks Division, Environment and Town Planning Department, Tokyo Industry: Local government Service: Consulting, artificial turf leak prevention