This is what follows from the logical application of the decision adopted on 26 September 2023 to ban the sale (not the use) of polymeric materials for infill, starting from 15 October 2031.
Considering that the average life of an artificial pitch is at least 10-12 years, most of the pitches that will be installed in the next 8 years, for replacing pitches at the end of their life or for new systems, will still be in operation in 2043.

Children born today will be able to play football until they reach adulthood and then they will still have two years, in which as adults they will be able to look around and become aware of the world in which they live and make the choices they deem appropriate.
More information and data relating to the actual release of microplastics from the various sources will be available, while today they have been just estimated and are not always accurate and reliable.

This was not an easy task for ECHA which is often asked to express its opinion on the most disparate issues, from microplastics to the use of certain materials in the space industry. From the infinitely small to the infinitely large.

The microplastic issue is a highly complex one, whose real dimensions, impacts and possible solutions are far from being clarified. It is an infinite topic in itself. The more possible current sources are identified, the more the development of new products and technological innovation can create new ones. At the same time, it is certainly an issue that has a great impact on citizens who, although responsible for the pollution of the planet with their behavior, would still like not to suffer its effects and be able to count on a reduction in any consequent exposure.

Therefore, despite the responsibility of every citizen for the uncontrolled release into the environment every year of 1,000 grams per capita of micro dust (or more precisely nano dust) resulting from the abrasion of tires on asphalt, it is rather blamed the release of 30 grams per capita of 1-2 mm rubber granulates used for infilling artificial grass, which drops to 3 grams thanks to simple containment measures to be applied to the fields as well as more careful and responsible behavior of those who plays on those fields.

It doesn't matter if as a result of the transition to mobility with electric cars there will be an increase in tire consumption and related micro dust emissions, football pitches are pointed out as the main culprits. Since the infinitely small and the infinitely large are difficult to understand, it was chosen to focus on the infinitely medium, either referring to the dimension of particles or to the social context, which are more easily understandable and communicable.

The use of artificial grass pitches is the prerogative of the harassed middle class who do not have access to natural grass pitches, use public transport more and will hardly be able to afford an electric car in the future. Our young athletes don't even use cars and belong to a generation that seems to be able to do without them even when they reach adulthood.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen what the world and mobility will be like in 18 years. They will have greater tools and knowledge to evaluate and compare the overall impact of artificial fields, not only with regards to microplastics, but also CO2 emissions, and other environmental, medical, social indicators deriving from sports practice.

It is probable that they will not agree to give up practicing sports by virtue of decisions, taken before they were born and on the basis of questionable assessments, to combat pollution caused by other sources and other subjects. Not only because it would be serious and unfair, but because sport is now perceived as a right codified in many systems, with different formulations whose meaning can be summarized more or less in the following formulation:
“Sport must be guaranteed to all children and adolescents because it is good for the body, mind and character, promotes socialization by helping to break down barriers between oneself and others, reduces people's selfishness, encourages new friendships and the ability to collaborate, helps to get to know each other”.

In the next few years, a frighteningly high number of football pitches will reach the end of their life and will have to be redone, millions of square meters, which would be logical to redo by recycling as much as possible, directly on site, the materials already used for the construction of the same pitch, and where not suitable or sufficient, use additional materials always coming from recycling chains.

Over twenty years ago, the tire recycling sector contributed to the development of artificial grass pitches, making them high-performance, accessible, sustainable and encouraging their diffusion, to the detriment of virgin materials and more expensive techniques.
Now, due to a heterogeneity of purposes, there is a risk that less sustainable materials will regain space and occupy a market that did not exist, created thanks to recycled materials. Instead of consolidating the principles of the circular economy, we risk to assist to a U-turn in the direction of the linear economy: disposal of old fields instead of re-use and recycling of materials, new fields with lower performance, shorter duration, more expensive materials that require long-distance transport, increased costs and greater CO2 emissions.

What to do?

It must be clear and reiterated that for the next 8 years the fields can and must be made with recycled rubber infill material and that they can remain in regular operation until they reach the end of their life.

Furthermore, rubber granulate is an excellent material for the creation of Elastic Layer which is not affected by the restrictions for microplastics as it is agglomerated with binders. Tire recycling sector is a dynamic and creative sector and is already committed to developing new solutions for both the sports sector and others. It always has and will continue to do so.

In the meantime, it is advisable that these fields be always done with suitable containment measures which have now become good and consolidated practice. This represents not only a clear signal of responsibility and coherence, but a necessary premise for sustainable supply and management over the next 8 years and the subsequent life span of the fields.

We don't know what will happen in the next twenty years, but if the alternatives that the legislation now considers compatible prove to be insufficient or unsuitable, the sector will have the credibility and data in hand to discuss the issue again.

In twenty years the new generations will have a voice to say what world they want to live in and we won't be able to stop it.

Campania is a region in southwestern Italy known for its ancient ruins and dramatic coastline. Naples, the regional capital, is a bustling city with a striking natural setting between the iconic gray cone of Mt. Vesuvius and the deep blue waters of the Golfo di Napoli. To the south, the Amalfi Coast is home to pastel-hued towns such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, nestled between cliffs and the sea.

The Romans knew the region as Campania Felix, which translates into English as “fertile countryside” or “happy countryside” as it was the most fertile area harvesting and supplying food to Rome Empire as well offering attractive holidays locations to Roman Nobleness thanks to the beauty of the places and the mild climate.

Over 50 among Majors, Councillors, and Public Officials coming from Municipalities and local bodies of the Campania Region left for few days their sunny landscapes to come to Brussels to take part to a training event organised by EIPA, European Institute of Public Administration held at the Committee of the Regions from 22 to 24 November.

The event was supported by Brussels Office of Campania Region, who included this event in the frame of a wider training program aiming to stimulate an active use of the EU funding instruments to create opportunities of developments for the rural areas.

The objectives of the workshops and background policies were deeply described by on. Nicola Caputo, Counsellor at Agriculture of the Region and by dott. Nicola Oddati, director of the Region’s Brussels Office, in two separate speeches.

The event, titled “Communication action aimed at disseminating the opportunities of European funds and the activation of exchange paths of good practices”, has been designed to allow a strong interaction between speakers and participants.

The face to face module was Indeed very lively and provided participants with an in-depth analysis of European policies and programs of relevance for the Campania Region in the context of European funds. Alongside European policies and strategies, the module also combines the first experiences from ESF+/EAFRD programming but also from complementarities with direct funds in the fields of training/education and agriculture. The course also includes a direct in-depth study of design methodologies. Speakers from European institutions and interest representatives in Brussels will participate to share good practices.

Ettore Musacchi, Coordinator of RE-PLAN CITY LIFE project took part as speaker to present the project and explain to the audience the many possibilities of using the Recycled Tyre Materials (RTMs) and the other opportunities for local bodies.
This was a perfect context for the Replan project and the presentation raised great attention and a lot of demands which were also addressed during the breaks and networking moments.

It was exciting to see how much motivation and sensitivity to Environment and to Circular Economy principle drive the policy of Local Administrators who were interested to have a future follow up to explore more in detail solutions suitable for their administrations, spanning from Sports Facilities to Roads Constructions.

The training session included:
• Update on European policies in the fields of training, education and social innovation and rural development
• The innovations in the ESF+ compared to the ESF and the EAFRD and the critical points of the European and NGEU/PNRR planning
• In-depth study of design techniques, financial management
• Visit to the European institutions (European Parliament in Brussels, Committee of the Regions, Permanent Representation of Italy to the EU) Course recipients Group of political-administrative level officials of the Campania Region (Agriculture Training Department).

The rich program and the quality of speakers made the event successful not only in providing valuable knowledge but also to open up potential opportunities for future cooperation.