1. Low Splash
You want to select an infill system with low splash properties. This means the infill is less likely to spray and leave the pitch area.
The Future of 3G Pitches
3G PITCHES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR OUR GRASSROOTS GAME. WE KNOW THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT Their IMPACT ON THE environment, so we’re getting ahead of the game to ensure communities have the most sustainable places to play.
3G Pitches are essential to the grassroots football community – in a country where 150,000 games a season played on grass pitches get called off due to bad weather, 3G floodlit pitches enable games to go ahead all year round, day and night. The amazing 3G pitches we fund give communities the opportunity to come together, play sport, and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
We know however, that there are some concerns about the impact 3G pitches have on the environment. These pitches are formed using a synthetic yarn, most commonly supported by a base layer of sand and rubber crumb infill. The infill is spread throughout the blades of grass to provide a natural feel similar to grass pitches and makes the it more durable, weather-resistant and adds shock absorption and traction. Rubber crumb is produced from used tyres that are processed and recycled into granules for use as infill, some of which spreads into the local ecosystem. This is what is causing some concerns.
We’re committed to delivering more sustainable facilities to reduce the impact of 3G pitches on the environment and have been leading the way in supporting the industry to mitigate this. We’ve taken a number of approaches, with amendments to the design of facilities and recently funding a site that will test alternative infills – the first of its kind in Europe.
Football Foundation is leading the way
Since 2020, Football Foundation funded pitches have been designed to include measures to minimise infill spreading from pitches and into the environment. Studies have shown these measures can significantly reduce infill migration from a 3G pitch.
Mitigating the spread of infill
We specify ‘low splash’ systems that help keep infill in the surface and include containment boards made from recycled turf to further prevent migration of infill. Since 2023 every 3G pitch the Foundation funds includes a shock pad and is sized to most efficiently meet the needs of its users, and the outcomes that will be delivered on the pitch. Both these measures significantly reduce the amount of rubber crumb required in the pitch.
Every replacement surface, must be recycled through an approved facility to ensure safe responsible recyling of the old pitch. We're also working with the sector to increase the capacity for recycling surfaces by developing more recycling centres of this kind across the country.
We've listed out the measures below that we take to minimise the spread of infill into the environment.
3G Pitch Test Hub, Sheffield
The biggest commitment we’ve made to date is to open a hub site that is testing alternative pitch systems that do not include rubber infill. Located in Sheffield, this is the first of its kind in Europe and includes six pitches that use alternative infill solutions. The Foundation has also funded a three-year research project working with SportsLabs (a FIFA Accredited Test Institute) and Loughborough University collecting performance data and player feedback to ensure every element of the playing experience is taken into consideration.
It’s an innovative project, working with brilliant partners who are just as passionate about providing great, sustainable places to play. We’re at the early stages of testing and it’s exciting to be leading the way in exploring possible solutions.
