Via wind, rain, and attached to players' shoes and sportswear, microplastics from artificial turf enter the soil and bodies of water. The chemically contaminated microplastic particles ultimately reach the food chain and harm plants, animals, and humans. According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute, an artificial pitch loses an average of almost 3 tons (!) – of synthetic infill material alone each year. 

 

• Environmental protection: The GUPPYFRIEND drain, and gutter filters efficiently and reliably retain microplastics.
• Recycling loop: After sorting out leaves and other dirt particles, the collected infill material can be reused to replenish the pitch.
• Maintenance: The filters protect the under-pitch drainage systems from costly blockages caused by microplastics.

• GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters reduce microplastic pollution in the environment.
• After sorting out leaves and other dirt particles, the retained infill can be reused to refill the artificial turf pitch.
• The GUPPYFRIEND filter units prevent the clogging of perforated drainage systems commonly installed under artificial turf pitches—result: Less maintenance and repairs.

We have determined the ideal standard mesh size for the GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters in numerous practical tests. This ensures that the granules of the infill material, which break down into smaller and smaller pieces due to weathering, UV light, and wear, as well as the microplastic of the blades and the ground cover, are reliably retained. To be clear. The filters won't keep all the microplastics out of our environment, so it is advisable to take fundamental measures to keep plastic out of nature.

There is no general answer to this question. The number of drains and gutters around sports fields varies from facility to facility, and between five and 40 drains can be in the immediate vicinity. Since microplastics from artificial turf can also be found away from the pitch, it is helpful to equip the "2nd row" of drains with the GUPPYFRIEND filters too.

The installation is relatively straightforward:

• Open the inlet grate.
• Insert the filter.
• Put the inlet grate back on.
• Retain microplastics.

Before ordering, please make an inventory of the required sizes and quantities of drains in the vicinity of the pitches. The next larger filter ring must be selected and cut to size accordingly for intermediate sizes or custom-made drains and drain boxes. Should you need assistance at any stage, we will be glad to help you.

The maintenance requirement is low. How often you need to empty the filters depends on various factors, such as: after heavy rainfall and strong winds, leaf blowers, and snow removal. These factors and the intensity of field usage all impact how often you should empty the filters. As a rule, emptying the filters once a month is sufficient. However, the filters should be checked regularly, especially in the beginning, so that you can adapt the maintenance intervals to the individual situation.

The sizes of the GUPPYFRIEND filters are based on the DIN standards for street and yard drains, which are commonly used at sports facilities. However, the two GUPPYFRIEND drain filter variants also fit when there are deviations from the standard. With the GUPPYFRIEND filter, structural deviations from the norm are compensated for by using seals. The next larger filter ring must be selected and then cut to size for intermediate sizes or custom-made drains and drain boxes accordingly.We currently offer a GUPPYFRIEND filter that can be adapted with seals and two GUPPYFRIEND filter versions, one for small and one for large drains. However, individual designs are possible, so please get in touch.

Yes. Retained granules need to be separated from leaves and other dirt particles before you can put them back on the pitch. According to a study, an average pitch must be replenished with 2,600 kg of granulate annually. It's excellent news when captured material can be reused.

Highly likely. Using GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters is worthwhile not just for the environment but also for our health. Still, the cost-effective retrofit may save you money: The retained granulate can easily be reused to fill the pitch. Furthermore, the filters protect the drainage pipes below the fields from blockages, and the costs for maintenance and replacement of the drainage system may thus be reduced.

Yes. The infill material is only one source of microplastic pollution. Artificial turf carpets, artificial turf blades, and synthetic ground cover also lose microplastics. Even biodegradable granules sometimes have synthetic coatings to maintain the performance parameters of an artificial turf pitch, such as ball-roll behaviour and rotational resistance (as specified in the FIFA Quality Program). Even with sand-filled artificial turf pitches, a significant proportion of the abraded fragments of the artificial turf blades can be retained.

Water drainage is not affected by GUPPYFRIEND filters. However, even without filters, the drains can only absorb a certain amount of water. Overflow and flooding may happen independently of the GUPPYFRIEND filter inserts.

The GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters are tested and approved. The artificial turf fields of the Bundesliga football team VFL Wolfsburg and sports fields of municipalities and sports clubs are already equipped and successfully using the GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters.

Hier geht’s zum Test des DTNW.

Plastic granulates (infill) are intentionally added to the sports fields; therefore, they are in the media's focus and subject to legal action. However, abrasion and wear of the elastic surface under the carpet and the synthetic fibre blades – they break, split, or get lost entirely – also contribute to the microplastic emission of artificial turf pitches. Initial studies indicate that the pollution caused by plastic blades is comparable to the pollution of the infill material. Higher microplastic emissions occur as the pitch ages because the fibres become increasingly brittle.

Yes. The surface water absorbed by the drains and gutters runs off into adjacent rivers or lakes – especially in rural areas – thus enters the environment directly. But microplastics from the artificial turf fields also enter the environment when connected to the sewage system. The water is released into the soil – consciously (seepage via "most often yellow" pipes) or unconsciously (leaking pipe connections).

Performance Infill, which is used as a filler for artificial turf fields, is the most significant use of intentionally added microplastic in the EU. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has developed a recommendation for a restriction proposal which has been submitted to the EU Commission. A ban would be the most desirable outcome of this process.

Meanwhile, the installation of GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters is still beneficial. On the one hand, the synthetic infill material is only one source of microplastic emissions from artificial turf pitches: plastic blades and the underlying synthetic ground covers continue to emit microplastics. If the regulation comes into force, transitional periods mean that it is unlikely that the requirements will be implemented across the board before the end of the decade.

Microplastics from the fields end up in the environment through wind and precipitation, cleaning measures, or snow removal. While some can be disposed of as waste, small particles enter the environment mainly through drainage systems. Microplastics are carried off the sports field by sticking to players' clothing and shoes.

Sportswear is mainly made of 100% synthetic fibres, which can end up in the environment during use and washing. You can prevent this by using the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Machine Filter and the GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag.

Most detergents also contain plastic in solid or liquid form, palm oil, and chemicals that are difficult to break down in the environment—the alternative: is GUPPYFRIEND Liquid Detergent. And for cleaning the clubhouse and changing rooms, we recommend our cleaning tools, such as the GUPPYFRIEND Bucket Filter.

The rubber rings of the GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters are made of 100% EPDM and SBR. That's precisely the material used for plastic granulation and the base material for the ground covers of artificial turf pitches.

The sieves of the filter inserts are made of a fine, silicone-free polyester-laboratory filter mesh but are also available in 100 % stainless steel mesh when there is a risk of rodent damage.

We don't want to solve one environmental problem by creating another, which is why our production facilities are as close as possible to our products' users. The GUPPYFRIEND Artificial Turf Filters are responsibly produced in Italy.

If you fill out the contact form, we will reply. Also, you can reach us via e-mail at u@guppyfriend.com