The poor condition of synthetic sports fields across Sydney is raising environmental and health concerns, with plastic and rubber debris spreading into surrounding areas.
At Chatswood High School, the artificial turf is disintegrating, leaving fragments scattered across the basketball court, nearby streets, and gutters. Frustrated parents have taken to social media, sharing images of soccer boots covered in synthetic grass fibres.
One concerned parent posted on Facebook, saying, “Does anyone else have trouble using Chatswood High Oval? These are my son’s soccer boots after one session on the synthetic field this morning. It’s not even that hot today.” Another added, “Will council please do something about the problem? The oval is just a year old, yet its condition is already so poor.”
Similar issues have been reported at other locations, including Fraser Park in Marrickville and David Phillips Sports Fields in Daceyville, where rubber infill from the turf is breaking loose.
Environmental and health risks
Experts warn that the plastic and rubber waste from these fields could end up in local waterways. A report by the NSW Chief Scientist’s Office last year confirmed that rubber infill had already been detected in the state’s water systems. It estimated that unless improvements are made, hundreds of kilos of rubber could continue washing into stormwater drains and rivers.
The report also highlighted additional concerns, including heat stress, exposure to toxic chemicals, and the presence of microplastics, all of which pose potential risks to human health.
According to the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, the 200 synthetic sports fields across NSW generate an estimated 252 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Sportsfields.info has also learnt that, in addition to environmental pollution from infill and yarn leaving the pitch perimeter, the city has awarded the tender for the removal of end-of-life turf to a contractor with only experience in waste removal but with no experience or expertise in the handling of end-of-life turf. The lifting and transporting of synthetic turf surfaces is a delicate process. If not handled right, they could cause pollution over a much wider area, and a type of pollution that is much more difficult to clean.
Calls for Action
The NSW government is expected to respond to the findings soon, with scientists advocating for a ban on rubber infill—a material already prohibited in several European countries due to its toxicity.
Some councils are already making changes. Sydney’s Inner West Council, for example, has switched to a cork-based infill for its synthetic fields. While officials and players acknowledge concerns, they continue to support the benefits of artificial turf.
As pressure mounts, the debate over the environmental and health impacts of synthetic sports fields is set to continue.