As discussions around product circularity and material recovery continue to grow, attention is increasingly shifting towards one important question:
What is a product made of?
Material composition plays a significant role in determining how products can be processed after use. In artificial grass, different design approaches can result in different recycling pathways and processing requirements.
Why material composition matters
In general, the more homogeneous a material stream is, the easier it becomes to identify, process and manage.
When multiple polymers are combined within a single product, additional processing steps may be required to separate, sort or manage the different materials.
This principle applies across many industries, including packaging, automotive manufacturing and construction products.
Artificial grass and multiple materials
Many artificial grass systems contain a combination of materials, including:
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Latex
- Polyurethane (PU)
- Additional reinforcement materials
Each material serves a specific function within the product, but the combination increases overall material complexity.
From a recycling perspective, this may require additional sorting, separation or processing depending on the available recycling infrastructure and intended material pathway.
Processing mixed material systems
When products contain multiple material types, recyclers often need to determine how those materials can be handled.
In some cases, materials can be separated into individual streams. In other situations, mixed-material outputs may be produced.
The feasibility of either approach depends on factors such as:
- Material composition
- Product construction
- Available technologies
- Economic viability
- Local recycling infrastructure
As a result, recycling outcomes can vary significantly between products and regions.
A mono-material approach
ONE-DNA™ artificial grass was developed around a 100% PE (one polymer) design.
By using a single polymer family throughout the product structure, the material composition is simplified compared to systems that contain multiple polymer types.
This Design for Recycling approach focuses on reducing material complexity at the product design stage.
Material transparency and future processing
No single recycling pathway applies to every product or every market.
However, material transparency allows recyclers, project owners and waste management companies to better understand what a product contains and which processing options may be available.
As product traceability and circular design become increasingly important, material composition is likely to play a growing role in procurement and product evaluation.
Looking ahead
The discussion around artificial grass recycling increasingly starts with product design.
Understanding what materials are used, how they are combined and how transparent that information is can help stakeholders make more informed decisions about future processing options.
For this reason, material composition is becoming an increasingly important consideration alongside performance, appearance and durability when selecting artificial grass systems.
Update, October 2026: this article reflects the ONE-DNA™ range at the time of publication, based on polyethylene (PE). ONE-DNA™ now also includes a 100% PO route; see Technology for the current material routes.
Related: Sustainability · Technology
