A group of residents recently joined scientists and environmental advocates to collect beach debris and water samples. They found a significant number of tiny fragments of SBR and yarn wear that had escaped from sports grounds into the water.

All samples were tested under the guidance of the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP).

AUSMAP’s longitudinal study, ongoing since 2018, has consistently found high percentages of synthetic turf fragments in their samples, with higher concentrations recorded following bad weather.

According to local publication The Manly Observer, a researcher at the Seabin Foundation said it was a growing problem. “In our Seabin catches, we always find synthetic turf. “In Australia, we have really nice hot sun, but for plastic outside, that is not very good. It is not really that environmentally friendly, because we are breaking up big tyres into micro plastics and then spreading them in mainly outdoor areas.”

The organisation claims that in 2024 alone, 32,000 synthetic fibres were captured in Seabins across Sydney Harbour, making synthetic turf the sixth most common item found.

They also estimated that 12,000 tonnes of synthetic turf and infill will need to be managed over the next five years, with limited recycling solutions currently available.