A question was asked by Climate Action Merribek Convenor at Council meeting in relation to reducing microplastics pollution from synthetic sports fields. This can amount to hundreds of kilograms of crumb rubber and a similar amount of plastic fibre every year.

Council were considering for adoption the Brunswick Central Parklands and Integrated Water Management Plan. This includes the Clifton Park synthetic pitch which is scheduled for resurfacing upgrade in 2023/24 at a cost of $750,000.

Microplastics pollution from synthetic fields is a major problem for stormwater systems and local waterways, including meeri Creek, Moonee Ponds Creek, and Port Phillip, that affects aquatic and marine ecosystems.

The Plan identifies $885,000 of existing capital expenditure that is already planned for the parklands; most of which relates to the renewal of the existing synthetic pitch in Clifton Park. Officers believe a total of $2.205 million could be obtained through external grant funding – predominantly to deliver the Integrated Water Management elements identified in the Plan.

John Englart also aknowledged before asking his question, the work of local resident and conservationist Ann McGregor in recently receiving the Order of Australia Medal. Ann has volunteered for many years with Friends of Merri Creek and Merri Creek Management Committee to conserve and rehabilitate the Merri Creek.

The urban heat island impact of the Clifton Park synthetic pitch was raised during public engagement, but ignored and marked as no action by Council staff. The NSW Chief Scientist report identified that Artificial Turf was found to contribute to the Surface and Canopy UHI locally (Golden, 2021)

Mitigating pollution impact of synthetic turf is important. John Englart asked the following question at the Council meeting and provided background information for best practice microplastics pollution mitigation:

“1. What efforts are planned to increase mitigation of microplastics pollution from Clifton Park community synthetic pitch as part of this strategy?
2. Will council investigate best practice standards as recommended by NSW Chief Scientist and Engineers Report published June 2023?
3. Do Council officers think proposed swales adjoining the synthetic field to intercept water prior to entering the drainage network is sufficient to mitigate microplastics pollution and meet best practice standards to prevent microplastics pollution of stormwater, local waterways and aquatic environments?
4. Are Council officers aware that use of synthetic pitches during wet conditions exacerbates microplastics pollution?”

Answer from Eamonn Fennessy, Director of Community: Council will take into account pollution mitigation measures in the Sports Surfaces study currently being prepared and due for presentation at August Council meeting. “That policy will absolutely takes into account the Chief Scientists report into synthetic turf in public spaces. Through the delivery of the renewal of the synthetic sports field at Clifton Park we will use that policy to test and put in place best practice policies to managing stormwater and look at things like swales and the most appropriate response to minimise and mitigate microplastic pollution.”

Comment: While the first three questions were, sort of, answered to a degree, the Director failed to address the last question on use of synthetic fields in wet conditions exacerbating microplastics pollution. Perhaps it is a no, they are not aware.

Background statement and Information provided in question submission:

Best practice for mitigating microplastics from existing synthetic turf in the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer’s review report: See recommendation R1.1 particularly points b and c:

“b. Fields are constructed with:
i. a surrounding solid curb to prevent microplastic loss, as well as overland runoff entering or exiting the field
ii. a drainage system which collects all water from the field surrounds to local drains
iii. 200 micron filters, or biofilms as technology becomes available, within these drains to collect microplastics which leave the field and are mobilised by runoff.
c. Stormwater treatment devices are fitted into drainage systems. Device performance is independently tested and verified, both in controlled conditions and in the field, such testing undertaken by an appropriately experienced, equipped and independent organisation.”

NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer (June 2023), Final Report – Independent review into the design, use and impacts of synthetic turf in public open spaces https://www.chiefscientist.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/542263/CSE-Synthetic-Turf-Review-Final-Report.pdf
See also: Martin Sheppard (March 2021), Minimising the Impacts of Microplastics on the Environment https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/minimising-impacts-microplastics-environment-martin/

Microplastics pollution extent

Note: The NSW Chief Scientist report identified that 10s to 100s of kilograms of infill microplastics, and a similar amount of fibre microplastics, is lost from an average synthetic pitch each year. This is on the low end of pollution estimates from research overseas.

2.98 metric tons – average loss of performance infill on the examined pitches per year (Germany/Switzerland), and above the top-up quantity (2.68 metric tons per year). However, there are significant fluctuations in losses. The 95% confidence interval for losses for all pitches of the same construction type is in the range of 1.29 to 4.67 metric tons per year. (Bertling et al Oct 2021) 1–4% of plastic infill is lost and replaced every year (Report for FIFA Eunomia Research 2017)

50 kilograms to over 1 metric ton per year – average fibre loss from a pitch contributing to microplastics pollution.  (Bertling et al Oct 2021)

Artifical Turf, wet weather use and microplastics pollution

From a presentation on Artificial Turf – A cause for Concern