Ben
We're into semantics if discussing the difference in meaning between reused and recycled. The point being it is a worthwhile repurposing of an expired plastic product. Rather than throwing it away, it is being used in a positive, environmentally stable manner. It's a lot more expensive than natural turf revets, but if the blurb is to be believed you only have to 'build it once'.
The 'what if' arguments in your second paragraph are not things I cannot comment on with authority, but its been a while since I heard of a hockey pitch burning down!
Why don't you put your concerns to Richard Allen of Ecobunker? Adam Lawrence does his PR.
Robin,
How many people smoke when playing hockey??
Plastics basically do catch fire, astroturf is said to be fire proof when sand is used which is not 100% guarantee however it does not prevent it from melting if there was a fire nearby. A cigarette stub will make it melt and the exposed edges are not protected by sand.
There is a difference between reusing and recycling. The astroturf product has parts that can't be recycled and takes 1000 years to break down.
There is also organic matter not sure you have taken this into account - plastics will definitely affect the soil and having no grass or dead grass stops the natural biological process happening which will affect the undergrowth and especially the trees in the surrounding areas. This is a real concern that plastic will affect the natural surrounding environment.
It would be interesting to see how much affect the astroturf blanket has on the nearby green and grass surrounds of the bunkers in the long term. Has this process been tested? I see in parks with astroturf areas under swings and the surrounding grass is basically dead not just of wear and tear but the organic matter process not working.
EIGCA should have an internal vetting process to test products prior to using it on golf courses.
The person you are referring to is no biologist he has a highways, drainage, infrastructure and hydraulics background so any question raised with him is irrelevant in this regard as he is not expert in the exact material itself. He is using it for his own company's gain -someone else's idea in a different way.
Don't always get answers from companies/reps - find it out yourself its something I have really learned to do in the building industry.
I for one would persuade clients not to use this product because of the type of material it is and the potential impacts on the natural organic matter of the soils.
cheers
Ben