Might EU reverse decision to ban rubber infill in synthetic pitches?

Brussels - Despite the introduction of an EU ban last year, rubber infill from recycled tires will continue to be used in synthetic turf sports pitches for another two decades - a timescale in which the regulatory decision could be reversed.

That's according to the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA), explaining that the European Commission has established that tire-derived rubber granulate can be used for the next 20 years.

The regulatory ban, agreed in September last year, covered the sale - but not the use of - polymeric infill, with effect from October 2031, ETRA pointed out in a recent online article.

Considering that the average life of an artificial pitch is at least 10-12 years, it said, most of the pitches that will be installed in the next eight years will still be in operation in 2043.

By then, more information on releases of microplastics from pitches - the basis for the EU ban - will be available, added ETRA, noting that current data is "not always accurate or reliable."

"The microplastics issue is a highly complex one, whose real dimensions, impacts and possible solutions are far from being clarified," according to the association.

"The more possible current sources are identified," it commented, "the more the development of new products and technological innovation can create new ones."

For instance, it said, every year of 1,000 grams per capita of 'micro-dust' is generated by the abrasion of tires on asphalt, compared 30 grams per capita of 1-2 mm rubber granulates used for infilling artificial grass.

Furthermore, said ETRA, the latter level drops to 3 grams with simple containment and management measures applied to sports fields.

And, it remarked, while the transition to e-mobility with electric cars will increase tire consumption and related micro-dust emissions, "football pitches are pointed out as the main [microplastics] culprits." 

ETRA believes that in future a new generation will be better able to evaluate and compare the overall environmental impact of artificial fields, along with the health, social and other benefits they provide.

"It is probable that they will not agree to give up practicing sports by virtue of decisions, taken before they were born and on the basis of questionable assessments," the association suggested.

ETRA went on to highlight risks from the introduction of less environmentally friendly options, such as new fields with lower performance and shorter lifespans as well as more expensive and less sustainable materials.

"We don't know what will happen in the next 20 years, but if the alternatives... prove to be insufficient or unsuitable, the sector will have the credibility and data in hand to discuss the issue again," it concluded.