Researchers from the Norway-based research organization SINTEF are working alongside the company Green Recycling to identify solutions for repurposing difficult-to-recycle artificial turf.

Because the majority of artificial turf ends up in the environment in the form of either greenhouse gases or microplastics, technologies that would potentially enable its reuse are sought.

As such, the researchers are jointly proposing the development of technology that transforms artificial turf into chemicals that can be used in the manufacture of new plastic products.

Likewise, a system similar to bottle deposit-returns currently used in the recycling of plastic beverage bottles is being proposed in a bid to develop a circular economy.

"The problem is not confined to the tiny particles contaminating the natural world, dumping, environmental damage and poor waste management," explained project manager Daniela Lima at Green Recycling. "As humans, we are currently consuming resources as if there was no tomorrow. Combustion facilities are often the final destination for artificial turf, but then new resources have to be found to make new pitches," she said.