Call to stop ‘ghastly’ trend taking over Australia

Artificial grass is being slammed for its harm to the environment.

There are growing calls for councils and governments to step in and ban a growing trend across residential properties in Australia due to harmful impacts on the environment.

The installation of artificial turf in front and back yards has grown in popularity across the country over the last several years.

Once seen only in some public play areas, fake grass has become a common sight across Aussie homes.

The benefits spruiked to potential customers include no need to mow, easy to clean, stays green all year, prevents weeds.

But it is what happens years down the track once the fake grass is ripped up and replaced that is attracting the ire of everyday Aussies.

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The dumping of artificial turf is becoming a growing concern across Australia. Picture: Facebook

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Kellie Jackson called for bans on artificial grass after finding a whole pile dumped in a Victorian nature reserve.

“These pictures highlight the other side of fake grass and weedy plants,” she said in a post on Facebook.

“Once it’s time for a change they get illegally dumped in a nature reserve. Bring on bans.”

Other Aussies agreed, commenting on the post about how artificial turf is “ghastly” and hideous”.

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The dumping of artificial turf is becoming a growing concern across Australia. Picture: Facebook

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While Ms Jackson’s post highlighted the downside of artificial turf after its removal, experts say negative environmental impacts begin well before that process is even considered.

University of Melbourne’s Dr Paul Cheung researches urban heating and told Yahoo News fake grass was a massive contributor to the heating of our suburbs.

“If you compare artificial turf to natural turf, artificial turf will absorb a lot of sunlight, and it will heat your backyard or sports ovals,” he said.

“This heat impacts the health of the residents, too.

“If we are anticipating a warmer environment in the future, we have to think of every opportunity to make our environment cooler.”

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The dumping of artificial turf is becoming a growing concern across Australia. Picture: Facebook

Dr Cheung’s comments follow the release earlier this week of Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment which indicated half a trillion dollars could be wiped off the value of Australia’s property market by 2030 as a result of climate change

And it won’t just be households in high-risk areas bearing the brunt of climate change, with some of Australia’s most affluent beach and harbourside locations identified as “primary hotspots” at risk of sea level rise, storm surges and extreme weather events.

The report warns extreme weather events, including heatwaves, will becomes more frequent and have direct impacts on homes, businesses and infrastructure.

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