Synthetic turf pioneer AstroTurf has joined the Cyclyx International consortium as its latest member, the companies have announced.
AstroTurf is a top-rated ESG brand, that has for almost sixty years developed and worked to consistently improve the quality of its synthetic turf products. The first product, launched in 1965, universally gained instant brand recognition after being installed in the Houston Astrodome, the world’s first domed stadium. The Astrodome needed a playing surface that could survive without sunlight. The short-pile turf created by Monsanto offered a solution that met the standards of Major League Baseball. Today, AstroTurf is owned by Burgheim, Germany-headquartered SportGroup Holding and operates in North America as AstroTurf Corporation.
Since its inception, the company has continued to innovate, increasingly with a focus on sustainability. It has announced an ambitious goal of reaching zero waste by early 2024. AstroTurf also offers what it claims is a ‘climate positive’ turf product composed of bio-based PE made from 60% sustainably farmed sugar cane to reduce the carbon footprint and water in their construction, installation, and usage.
“AstroTurf is thrilled to form a partnership with Cyclyx and become part of their consortium,” said Rob Mitchell, AstroTurf Vice President of Business Development. “Our dedication to ESG objectives is unwavering, and this collaboration will grant us abundant resources, invaluable guidance, and a myriad of opportunities to realise these goals.”
As part of the Cyclyx consortium, AstroTurf be well positioned to implement further sustainable practices in its manufacturing, installation, and end-of-life operations. Within these three streams, there is potential to reclaim over 10 million pounds - or almost 4536 tonnes - of landfill-bound PE waste, of which, through Cyclyx, up to 90% can be diverted towards circular recycling pathways.