ARTIFICAL GRASS CAN RISK A 'PERMANENT LOSS' FOR NATURE

Amenity Forum director, Tom Arnold, has warned that the growing use of artificial grass in domestic gardens could result in a “permanent loss” of nature and biodiversity, arguing that the environmental value of natural turf needs greater recognition.

Tom, who is also founder and CEO of TopGrass and chair of the UK Lawn Care Association, has more than 40 years’ experience in the amenity sector. He recently joined the Amenity Forum Board, bringing experience spanning both the manufacture of amenity fertilisers and plant protection products and the operation of his own lawn care business.

Speaking as part of the Forum’s ‘Meet the Board’ series, Tom said "I would like to see greater recognition of the environmental value of natural green spaces. The increasing use of artificial grass in domestic properties is a worrying trend, as it can represent a permanent loss for nature, biodiversity and the many benefits that living landscapes provide."

He also said, “Natural turf delivers a wide range of benefits that are often overlooked,” pointing to its contribution to cooling, carbon capture, water management, biodiversity and wellbeing.

Tom said these benefits needed to be better recognised as sustainability and environmental performance become increasingly important considerations for those managing green spaces.

He also identified the need for the sector to balance rising expectations around environmental performance with the demand for high-quality, functional and attractive turf.

“One of the biggest challenges is balancing increasing expectations with available resources,” he said. “Customers want high-quality, healthy and attractive green spaces, but organisations are also being asked to deliver environmental benefits, improve biodiversity and reduce inputs.”

Tom believes this makes professional knowledge and evidence-based decision-making increasingly important, particularly as the range of available management tools continues to evolve.

He highlighted Integrated Pest Management, improved soil health and sustainable turf management as areas where the sector is already making progress, while stressing the importance of training and professional competence.

As a member of the Amenity Forum Board, Tom said he hopes to help strengthen the organisation’s role as a collective voice for the sector and promote a common quality standard that provides greater confidence for customers, practitioners and policymakers.

He added that collaboration between contractors, suppliers, professional bodies, local authorities and regulators would be essential in addressing the challenges facing the amenity sector.