On the 26thApril
2023 the EU member states voted to support a revised REACH Restriction proposal
on intentionally added microplastics, which includes a ban of recycled rubber
infill materials used in synthetic turf surfaces after a transition period of eight
years, before the placing on the market of polymeric infill materials become
prohibited.
The ban makes no sense, as it increases the releases of rubber crumbs from
turfs instead of reducing it over the next 20 years and does not stimulate a
more responsible management and use of Artificial pitches.
Furthermore the decision does not address the problem of other releases
of microplastics actually micro and spread in environment in huge quantities:
Ø The main source of micro-plastics from tyres
is represented by the tyre wearing
particles, which are more impacting
either for the quantity released or the dimension = 900 g / person (0 – 0,01 mm)
Ø Micro-plastics releases from Artificial turf
in comparison are negligible = between 3
and 30 g/ person (1 – 2,5 mm)
Ø Tyre wearing in Agricultural sector is the one
more dangerous for the concentration and the direct impact in the fields
cultivated for foods crops = 62 g /
person (0 – 0,01 mm)
Ø Polymer for seeds and fertilizers
incapsulation in Agriculture (ECHA
Report) which have also a strong concentration and direct impact in the crops
fields = 44 g / person (0 – 0.01)
As there are no benefits deriving from the ban of
rubber infill for the environment, nor for the recyclers, as well as for citizens and players, the question arises
spontaneously: who will benefit from it ?
