

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has put forward a proposal to limit the use of intentionally added microplastics in products, such as artificial turf pitches, to avoid or reduce environmental pollution. In addition, it is estimated that approximately 176,000 tonnes of unintentionally formed microplastics are discharged every year into surface water in Europe. The largest single source is the granular infill material used on artificial turf pitches, with an emission of up to 16,000 tonnes. Approximately one third of these intentionally added microplastics escape into the environment. Rubber granules are microplastics, and have become a massive issue, as it can be almost impossible to avoid spreading and discharging the small rubber pieces directly into the surroundings when playing a game of football.Įach year more than 145,000 tonnes of microplastics are intentionally used in the EEA. The infill for these pitches usually includes rubber granulate made from used tyres. In Europe it is estimated that a total of 51,616 artificial turf pitches exist with an installed area of 112 million square meters.
