The careful use of rubber infill at Cardigan Mountain School keeps their athletic fields in optimal condition.
Pioneering Environmental Standards
In December 2022, Cardigan Mountain School took a significant step toward environmental sustainability by partnering with Sportsfield Specialties to install advanced infill retention measures on a new third-generation artificial turf pitch. Nestled in the natural beauty of western New Hampshire, this project is designed not just to upgrade the school’s sports facilities but to set new standards in environmentally friendly turf management. Samples and studies are being conducted from this field to validate the general findings that, with the implementation of Risk Management Measures (RMM), artificial turf fields can indeed be environmentally friendly.
Meeting EU Environmental Compliance
Artificial turf fields are increasingly scrutinized for their environmental impact, particularly the dispersal of microplastics. Cardigan Mountain’s new turf installation adheres to the rigorous standards set out in the CEN report (DS/CEN/TR 17519), which recommends measures to limit microplastic dispersion to 0.00023 oz/ft²/year (7 g/m²/year). By aligning with these standards, adapted for use in the US by the Synthetic Turf Council, Cardigan Mountain is leading the way in environmentally responsible turf design.
Test and Development at Cardigan Mountain
The installation serves as a key test site to verify whether these European standards can effectively minimize microplastic spread in real-world conditions. The goal is to ensure that microplastic dispersion remains below the 0.00023 oz/ft²/year (7 g/m²/year) threshold, which equates to less than 110 lbs (50 kg) annually for a standard football pitch (or soccer field).The project draws on successful models from previous initiatives in Sweden and Denmark, positioning Cardigan Mountain at the forefront of this critical environmental research.
A Model for Future Installations
Beyond its immediate impact on the school’s athletic programs, Cardigan Mountain’s initiative is poised to influence the future of artificial turf installations across the United States. The school’s field is designed to be a benchmark for environmentally friendly turf practices, showcasing how these spaces can be built and maintained with minimal environmental impact. Cardigan Mountain has also created a dedicated website to document the project’s progress, allowing stakeholders to monitor the field’s construction, usage, and environmental performance.
Impact and Future Vision
By participating in this research, the school is not only improving its own facilities but also contributing valuable knowledge to the broader effort to make artificial turf more sustainable. The insights gained from this project will help set new standards for environmentally friendly sports fields, benefiting communities far beyond New Hampshire.
You can read about the Princeton University case study here.
Key findings
Importance of Barrier Height
The study found that barrier height plays a crucial role in reducing the emission of rubber granulate from artificial turf pitches. Barriers at 24 inches (60 cm) height resulted in significantly lower emissions (approx. 2 lbs/pitch/year or 0.9 kg/pitch/year) compared to 16-inch (40 cm) barriers (approx. 20 lbs/pitch/year or 9 kg/pitch/year) and especially 8-inch (20 cm) barriers, which saw much higher emissions.
Emissions from Players and Equipment
The maximum emission of rubber granulates from players and their equipment was calculated at approximately 10.8 lbs/pitch/year (4.9 kg/pitch/year). The majority (66-75%) of this emission came from granulate inside players' shoes. Maintenance equipment, such as tractors, contributed minimally to emissions, with only 0.44-0.88 lbs/pitch/year (0.2-0.4 kg/pitch/year) after cleaning.
Total Emissions Reduction
The total accumulated emission was below 44 lbs/pitch/year (20 kg/pitch/year) with a 16-inch (40 cm) barrier and approximately 13 lbs/pitch/year (6 kg/pitch/year) with a 24-inch (60 cm) barrier. Further reductions are expected when considering that granulates in players' shoes are often removed in changing rooms or at home, leading to an estimated environmental emission of 4-7 lbs/pitch/year (2-3 kg/pitch/year) with a 24-inch (60 cm) barrier.
Effectiveness of Drainage Systems
No significant contamination was found in the drainage water. The study showed that drainage systems effectively prevented the release of microrubber (rubber granules or residue) and PFAS contamination was within safe limits.
Environmental Safety
The study found that rubber granulate as an infill material does not pose a significant source of PFAS contamination, aligning with environmental safety standards in Denmark for drinking water and freshwater environments.
