By sticking to clothing and shoes and through wind and precipitation, microplastics are released from artificial turf pitches into the environment. These chemically contaminated microplastic particles even enter our food chain.

According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute, an artificial turf pitch loses an average of nearly 3 tons(!) per year – just in synthetic infill material.

• Environmental protection: GUPPYFRIEND drain and gutter filters efficiently and reliably retain microplastics.
• Circular economy: Once leaves and foreign matter have been sorted out, the collected granulate can be reused to refill the artificial turf pitch.
• Maintenance: The filters protect the drainage systems, which are typically installed under the pitch, from clogging due to microplastics.

• GUPPYFRIEND gully filters reduce environmental pollution from microplastics. 
• After removing leaves and foreign matter, the retained granulate can be reused to fill the artificial turf pitch. 
• GUPPYFRIEND filter units prevent the clogging of perforated drainage systems, which are typically installed beneath artificial turf pitches. Result: Less maintenance and fewer repairs.

In numerous practical tests, we have determined the most effective mesh size for GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filters. This ensures that the infill granules, which break down into ever-smaller pieces due to weathering, UV light, and wear, as well as the microplastics from the blades and the base layer, are reliably retained. But, of course, the filters cannot keep all particles out of nature – additional measures, such as structural modifications, are advisable to minimize the discharge of microplastics into the environment.

This cannot be answered in general terms. The number of gully drains around sports fields varies from facility to facility. There can be between five and 40 drains in the immediate vicinity of an artificial turf pitch. Since the plastic granules from artificial turf pitches can often be detected even far away from the playing field, it makes sense to also equip the "second row" of courtyard drains with GUPPYFRIEND microplastic filters.

The installation effort is minimal: open the inlet grate, insert the filter, replace the grate, and start retaining microplastics. Before ordering, an inventory of the required sizes and quantities of drains near the artificial turf pitches must be conducted.

For intermediate sizes or custom-made drains and gully boxes, the next larger filter ring should be selected and trimmed accordingly.

Maintenance requirements are manageable. The emptying frequency depends on a multitude of factors. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, but also the use of leaf blowers, snow clearing, and the intensity of use can impact the frequency of filter emptying.

As a rule, it is sufficient to empty the filters once a month. However, especially in the beginning, you should check the filters regularly and adjust the maintenance intervals more precisely to the local situation.

The sizes of the GUPPYFRIEND filters are based on common DIN standards for street and courtyard drains, which are also used in sports facilities.  

Even in cases of deviations from the standard, both GUPPYFRIEND gully filter variants fit.  

For intermediate sizes or custom-made drains and drainage boxes, the next larger filter ring should be chosen and trimmed accordingly. 

We offer two GUPPYFRIEND gully filter versions for small and large gully drains. Individual custom designs are possible upon consultation.

Yes. It must be separated from leaves and other debris and can then be reapplied to the artificial turf. According to a study, an average of 2,600 kg is replenished per pitch per year. It is good if some of it can be recycled.

Possibly. Using the GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filter is worthwhile for the environment and our health, but the cost-effective retrofit can also pay off financially. For one thing, the retained granulate can be used for refilling, and for another, the filters protect the small openings in drainage pipes beneath the pitch from clogging. The costs for maintenance and replacement of the drainage system can thus be reduced.

Yes. The infill material is only one source of microplastic pollution. Artificial turf carpet, grass blades, and the base layer also shed microplastics.  

To maintain the performance parameters of an artificial turf pitch – such as ball roll and rotational resistance (as stipulated in the FIFA Quality Programme) – biodegradable granulate pellets are sometimes also coated with synthetic layers.  

Even with sand-filled artificial turf pitches, a significant proportion of the abraded fragments from the artificial polyethylene “grass” blades can be retained.

Water drainage is not impaired by the use of GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filters. Just as without filters, however, the drains can only accommodate a certain amount of water. Overflow and flooding cannot be prevented by the filter inserts either.

The GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filters have also proven themselves in practice. The artificial turf pitches of the Bundesliga football club VFL Wolfsburg as well as sports fields belonging to municipalities and clubs are already equipped with GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filters.

Click here for the DTNW test report. 

Reports on the issue of microplastics on sports fields and announcements regarding legal requirements focus on synthetic infill materials, as these are intentionally added plastic granules.  

In fact, however, abrasion and wear of the elastic support layer beneath the carpet and the synthetic fiber blades (breakage, splitting, shedding of entire fibers) also contribute to microplastic emissions from artificial turf pitches. Initial studies indicate that these sources of pollution could even be comparable to the loss of infill material. As the pitch ages and the fibers become brittle, higher microplastic emissions are to be expected.

Yes. The surface water collected in storm drains is discharged directly into adjacent streams or lakes, particularly in rural areas, and thus enters the environment immediately. However, microplastics from artificial turf pitches also enter the environment when connected to the sewage system. The water is released into the soil – either deliberately (seepage via pipes) or inadvertently (leaky pipe connections).

Performance infill, which is used as a filler for artificial turf fields, is the largest application of intentionally added microplastics across the EU.  

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has developed a recommendation for a restriction proposal and submitted it to the EU Commission.  

A ban would be the most desirable outcome of this process. Nevertheless, installing the GUPPYFRIEND artificial turf filter remains sensible: firstly, the synthetic infill material is only one source of microplastic discharge from artificial turf pitches—the plastic blades and the underlying synthetic layers continue to emit microplastics. Secondly, if the regulation comes into force, transition periods mean that comprehensive implementation of the requirements is not to be expected before the end of the decade.

Due to wind, precipitation, as well as cleaning measures or snow removal, microplastics from the pitch end up in nature. While some can be disposed of as waste, particles enter the environment primarily through drainage systems. Microplastics are also carried off the pitch via adhesion to players' clothing and shoes.

Sportswear is usually made of 100% synthetic fibers, which can enter the environment during use and washing.  

You can prevent this by using the GUPPYFRIEND washing machine microplastic filter and the GUPPYFRIEND washing bag. 

Most detergents also contain plastic in solid or liquid form, palm oil, and chemicals that are difficult to degrade in the environment. The alternative: GUPPYFRIEND detergent. And for cleaning the clubhouse and changing rooms, we recommend the cleaning utensils centered around the GUPPYFRIEND bucket filter. Join in!

The rubber rings of the GUPPYFRIEND gully filters are made of 100% EPDM and SBR, the same material used as plastic granulate and the base material for floor panels on artificial turf pitches.  

The mesh of the filter inserts is made of a fine, silicone-free polyester laboratory filter fabric and is also available in 100% stainless steel mesh in case of risk of pest damage.

We do not want to solve one environmental problem while simultaneously creating another. That is why our production facilities are located as close as possible to the consumers of our products. The GUPPYFRIEND gully and channel filters are responsibly produced in Italy.

If you fill out the contact form, we will get back to you. You can also reach us via email at us@guppyfriend.com.