'Fifty Percent of the Sports Sector Can Be Circular by 2030, According to Us' |
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Recycling factories are struggling, and that's bad news for the pursuit of a circular economy. All the more reason for companies like Greenmatter to ring the alarm louder and encourage customers to use products made from recycled artificial turf. "We are optimistic and see growing awareness, but it could speed up," say William van Diemen and Kilian Peschel of the company.
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Van Diemen and Peschel particularly hope that municipalities and consulting firms become more proactive. "It's important that they recognize the problem and start working on it," says Van Diemen, director of parent company W&H Sports. Peschel, the newly appointed sales manager of Greenmatter, is eager to engage. "I love the dynamics of this sector, whether it's about a simple border plank or a complete playground. With my experience, I know how the market works and how it functions in contracting. I have a lot of experience in public spaces; that matches well with the sports mentality at this company. It's great that these two aspects come together at Greenmatter. I see a lot of opportunities."
Whitepaper
To persuade municipalities and consulting firms to adopt products made from recycled artificial turf, he can use a recently prepared whitepaper by Greenmatter. Titled 'From worn-out artificial turf to circular products. How do you turn a waste stream into resource streams?' This document clearly and substantively explains why it is important to act circularly. Peschel: "It also contains practical tips, for instance on how to use subsidy pots for sustainability. Not every (sports) official knows this is possible. Sometimes, an investment in a product from recycled artificial turf then suddenly becomes feasible."
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"Municipalities often tend to opt for a cheaper solution"
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Feasibility is not unimportant. All too often, municipalities still opt for a cheaper solution because it fits better with traditionally structured budgets, Van Diemen and Peschel know. "Municipalities are often inclined to choose a cheaper solution. Recycled products are indeed more expensive because the recycling process is costly. However, these products last much longer than, for example, wood. In the long run, you're even better off. We keep emphasizing this and believe it is feasible that by 2030, fifty percent of the sports sector can be circular."
Tension Field
"We must prevent the renewed resources from piling up. Things need to keep moving. This is also important for the entire market sector. At a recent knowledge session for employees of the engineering firm Newae, I noticed that they too realize that the market needs to take action. There's a tension between short-term costs and sustainable choices for the long term at municipalities, as these engineers also notice," says Van Diemen. Peschel adds: "A sustainable choice doesn't stop at the front end or at the recycling of artificial turf. The backend is also important. That's why we offer a wide range of products made from recycled artificial turf. We need each other to keep this process going. Consulting firms are important here too. Also to ensure that in tenders, existing specifications are not simply copied, but that attention is paid to circular and sustainable choices."
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"It's very difficult to compete with cheap virgin plastics"
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 | | William van Diemen |
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Both Van Diemen and Peschel hope that awareness of the importance of a circular economy increases. It must, for politics has decided that by 2030 half of the economy, and by 2050 the entire economy, must be circular. A simple calculation by Van Diemen shows that much still needs to be done. Since 2018, only 10 percent of sports fields have been processed circularly, while this should be 25 percent to reach 50 percent by 2030. Van Diemen: "It's very difficult to compete with cheap virgin plastics. That's why it's so important that we have a good story and continue to emphasize the importance of sustainable choices."
Social Workshops
Choosing a product from Greenmatter is not only sustainable and good for the environment but also makes a significant social contribution, expressed as social return. Van Diemen: "We work a lot with social workshops. For example, a picnic table is worth seven hours of social return. Contractors can visibly add this value as an extra argument. The use of recycled products goes beyond just reducing the waste heap."
Municipality of Westland
As far as Greenmatter is concerned, the municipality of Westland is on the right track. Van Diemen: "We have had a good relationship for years. They think carefully about what they can do, and the politics are enthusiastic. They translate this into sustainable policy and thus take the lead." Mark Valstar, employed as a specialist in outdoor sports facilities at this municipality, sometimes still needs a lot of convincing power to make it clear to colleagues that it is more sustainable to use products made from recycled artificial turf. "For sports products, this is not so complicated, but when it comes to public spaces, it can be more challenging. Then you have to make clear to real nature lovers that material from recycled artificial turf can be recycled again at the end of its life cycle, and is therefore more sustainable than, for example, wood." Valstar is achieving results; soon, a bridge will be equipped with parts made from recycled artificial turf.
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"Focus on sustainability is becoming increasingly natural for us"
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The municipality of Westland has also used mats made of recycled artificial turf for semi-paving and border planks around sports fields. "Years ago, we replaced the artificial turf fields with rubber crumbs from old tires, and then installed border planks to keep the new TPE infill on the field," explains Valstar. Since then, sustainable thinking has become more ingrained in his municipal organization. For example, the purchasing department is currently developing a sustainability tool. "Focus on sustainability is becoming increasingly natural for us," he notes with satisfaction.
 | | Kilian Peschel |
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Greenmatter at the Sports Facilities Trade Show
Kilian Peschel will represent Greenmatter at the Sports Facilities Trade Show to discuss with visitors. He can also provide further explanation about the whitepaper mentioned in the article.
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This article was previously published on February 24, 2025, on the Fieldmanager website.
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