For many Australians, a lush green lawn is a backyard essential – whether it’s a space for pets, weekend barbies, or playing cricket with the kids. Keeping a natural lawn green all year round, however, comes at a cost, especially with water use and maintenance. That’s where artificial grass steps in as a low-maintenance alternative, offering a consistently neat appearance with significantly less upkeep. As more people consider the switch, it’s worth exploring the environmental impact of synthetic grass compared to natural grass – and how the latest innovations are working to tip the balance in its favour.
Water Conservation
Water is a precious resource in Australia, and traditional lawns can be surprisingly thirsty. In fact, a natural grass lawn of just 100 square metres can soak up around 50,000 litres of water every year – per household. That’s a significant drain on water supplies, especially during drought conditions or periods of water restrictions. Synthetic grass, by contrast, doesn’t need watering to stay green.
Maintenance Requirements
Mowing, fertilising, weeding – maintaining a natural lawn can be a time-consuming and resource-intensive task. Lawnmowers contribute to emissions, fertilisers can leach into waterways, and regular upkeep adds to your weekend to-do list – synthetic grass cuts down on most of that. While it still requires occasional brushing or hosing to stay clean, there’s no need for chemicals, equipment, or regular attention – you get a consistent result with far less effort and fewer environmental costs.
Managing Heat and Temperature
One downside often raised about artificial turf is that it can get hot during summer – natural grass tends to stay cooler, while synthetic surfaces can absorb and retain heat. However, this tends to more of a problem when the turf is in direct sunlight for consecutive days of very hot weather. Products featuring SYNLawn’s exclusive COOLplus Technology also assist with keeping the surface temperature cooler. The COOLplus Technology reflects the sun’s UV rays which slows down the heat build-up in artificial grass, to make it more comfortable underfoot, and help reduce the urban heat island effects in built-up areas.
Biodiversity and Ecological Impact
Natural grass obviously offers ecological benefits – it supports microfauna, promotes soil health, and helps cool the air through natural evapotranspiration. Synthetic grass can’t replicate that biodiversity; however, it also doesn’t rely on fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides, all of which can harm ecosystems and pollute waterways. It’s a trade-off, and one where the overall footprint depends on how each surface is maintained.
Sustainable Production and Innovation
There’s no denying that manufacturing synthetic turf requires energy and materials – that’s why innovation in this space is important. SYNLawn’s Classic GT, for example, is made with 60% renewable resources and developed with the same green technology used for Olympic-grade hockey fields. Combined with efforts to reduce energy use and increase renewable electricity across manufacturing operations, sustainable synthetic turf is becoming more accessible to Australians. Products like Classic GT don’t just look and feel great – they also represent a shift towards more environmentally conscious landscaping solutions.
A Smarter Way to Stay Green
Choosing between natural and synthetic grass isn’t just about looks – it’s about how your choice aligns with your lifestyle, local climate, and values. While synthetic grass may not offer the biodiversity of natural turf, it makes up for it with water savings, reduced maintenance, and new technologies that are pushing for more sustainable production methods. With innovations like COOLplus and renewable materials in products like Classic GT, the future of synthetic grass is looking greener in more ways than one.
