To spread awareness of the toxicity of plastic grass?

[DataNotLore]

Here: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35948114/#:~:text=Numerous%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,%2C%20mutagens%2C%20and%20endocrine%20disruptors.

Not only is it bad for the environment but it's probably bad for your health too.

The issues are still being investigated, but:

"Numerous studies have shown that chemicals identified in artificial turf, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known carcinogens, neurotoxicants, mutagens, and endocrine disruptors."

I think that would be a great option for a lot of people.

I love mine. The soil is all clay around here so impossible to grow grass. I know, I tried 3 times at great expense.

It's a small shaded garden but much needed outdoor space. I kept the borders and increased the number of plant pots. The garden is full of birds and bees and we can use it now we have astroturf.

It's been the best thing I ever did. It was a godsend during lockdown and as it's a shaded garden it never gets too hot under foot. It's in my back garden so no one else has to see it. I don't care if other people don't like it. There are plenty of things that other people do that I wouldn't choose but that's the whole point isn't it? It's a choice.

You can use a stencils and paint them beautifully. Cheap and easy. Then you can have potted plants all around it. Something like this:

https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/1465888458/stockholm-garden-patio-slab-stencil?gpla=1&gao=1&

Thing is, some may post with glee and sarcasm, but some (me I hope?) post with a bit of knowledge and gentle suggestion. And it's ignored by the plastic lovers. Should I give up being simply enthusiastic for the alternative?

Yank it up, rake it over and chuck down some grass seed the day before it's due to rain.

Then buy some grass clippers from Wilko for about a fiver.

We chucked down wildflower seeds we got free in various things in the bald patches and are excited to see what comes up.

When we lived next door to some they hoovered it all the time.

An old colleague has a full garden bed of fake plants and fake lawn as well. During Eunice the wind got underneath her (professionally installed) grass and it all ripped up.

What do you think 'poisonous' means in relation to artificial grass? Do you realise that lots of things are poisonous.

I really dislike the look of artificial grass but I don't understand why people are so ready to accept the OPs argument without giving it any thought.

@Upwiththelark76 it'll end up in landfill one day anyway. And every day it's laid in your garden is a day wildlife has been robbed of a habitat. You'll enjoy the birds and the other critters too.
I agree tho, it's tricky if you've inherited it

Well rather than arguing with me your better practicing what you preach take what you learn and read and use your wonderful knowledge in your fluffy ways to educate the masses.

For me if certain posters want to act like an ignorant asses because they to lazy to do things right and it's and be much hassle to protect our environment and innocent wildlife from suffering in pain because of their wants not needs, I have zero time for them and no inclination to apologise to these people. Fact is they are killing innocent creatures that have zero reply and will continue to suffer both directly and indirectly. They are contributing to the bioaccumulation of pollutants into every single human being on the planet, with regards food and water and general health over time.

There are plenty of alternatives to plastic lawns no one needs them full stop

this wouldnt work, its not slabbed, its literally a rectangle of ugly uneven cracked poured concrete

This is the top of my garden where grass wouldn't grow. Inexpensive to buy gravel and a few bricks. We have a sitting area there now. Tons of insects visiting the flowers, fruit bushes and a budlea. Very low maintenance.

The other side of the garden with gravel and paving slabs. We've taken about a third of the lawn away and about halved the amount of work cutting it and trying to get the grass to grow in the shaded areas.

Nice job and looks great!

That's lovely @stbrandonsboat
I love the mix of materials. Light and shade in all sorts of senses.

grass and gravel might be cheap but what about when it grows and weeds come? if you have health problems you physically cannot maintain it and cannot afford to pay someone, its a regular cost that I can do without

my tenancy states I have to keep the garden tidy, this is the only way I can do it

It stinks in summer when you have dogs too that wee on it

I've just looked up how you should clean it! If the stuff wasn't so grim it would be funny.

Suggestions of power washing, fairy liquid, bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, hoovering etc

If the gravel is deep enough the weeds don't come through and I just use a weed burner to kill off weeds that come through elsewhere.

Most people are able to maintain a simple garden unless they're very sick, elderly or disabled, but people managed before artificial grass was sold so it can be done.

My neighbours can't do their back garden due to severe hay fever and have just left it to go wild. It looks a bit messy, but it's good for the insects and seed eating birds.

I am old and disabled. I would not be allowed to let it go wild, the HA are very strict and its a breach of tenancy and could lose my home to have an untidy garden.

@stbrandonsboat You have a lovely looking garden, with good matrix of habitats for all different species. Also stone and pebbles are perfectly good habitats for lots of amazing species. This mimics many brownfield sites, that are often higher in biodiversity than many so called green areas with one type of grass.

While we're on the subject, perfectly manicured lawns are not the best option for wildlife either - so if you want low maintenance and nature friendly looks at things like chamomile, creeping thyme and clover 🍀

This has got to be more work than cutting grass 🤔 can you imagine having children playing amongst the slimy cleaning chemical residue 🤢 and how does the water drain away? Sounds like an ideal breeding ground for all kinds of mould and bacteria. And, before anyone says grass contains germs, most people don't eat grass or soil, whereas getting toxic slime on your hands from plastic happens all the time - look at the inside of bath toys, they're invariably full of black goo 🤢

Gravel, slabs and potted plants with the odd miniature fruit tree planted with gravel around?

And no-one on here decrying plastic grass drives cars I suppose. Stop being busy bodies and mind your own business. There are other things just as bad that we turn a blind eye to. This is Mumsnet at its interfering best.