Recycled and Used Turf

Where used turf comes from

Sports fields are resurfaced on a cycle, often about every 8 to 10 years, and a full-size field produces a lot of turf. Rather than send it to landfill, some contractors and suppliers pull it up in rolls, remove much of the infill, and sell it as used turf or recycled turf. Smaller amounts come from residential and commercial jobs where turf was replaced early.

In Ontario, reclaimed field turf turns up for sale every year as municipalities, schools and facilities replace their fields. Availability comes and goes with resurfacing projects, so suppliers often keep a waiting list.

What it's good for

• Batting cages and pitching tunnels, where the turf is a wear item anyway.
• Dog runs and kennels, as long as it drains and can be rinsed well.
• Gym floors and home training spaces, for sled pushes and drills on a budget.
• Farms and barns, for walkways, wash areas and equestrian uses.
• Work and storage areas, to keep mud down around sheds, trailers and parking pads.
• Temporary surfaces for events and tournaments.

What it's not good for is a lawn you want to look at. Field turf has lines painted or inlaid, fibres flattened by years of play, and a different look from landscape grass. It's also heavy: field turf has a dense backing and often leftover infill.

What to inspect

• The backing. Bend a corner. If it cracks or the fibres pull out easily, it's near the end of its life.
• Fibre wear. Fibres from goalmouths and centre circles are worn far more than those from the sidelines. Ask which part of the field it came from.
• Leftover infill. Ask how much rubber or sand is still in it, since that adds weight and mess.
• Lines. Painted or inlaid lines may run through your piece; ask for line-free sections if that matters.
• Roll sizes. Field turf is often cut into strips; make sure they'll fit your space with few seams.

Preparing and laying used turf

Used turf goes down much like new turf, on a firm, draining base, but with some extra steps. Shake or sweep out loose rubber and sand before laying, or it'll end up across your yard. Lay pieces with the fibres running the same way, trim worn edges, and seam or overlap pieces depending on the use; in a cage or dog run, a neat butt joint secured with nails is often enough. Because field turf is heavy, it lies flat with less infill than new landscape turf. Plan for its weight when moving it: a short roll of field turf can take several people.

Is it right for you?

Used turf makes the most sense when the surface is a tool rather than a feature: somewhere to hit, train, kennel dogs or keep mud down. If the turf is going where people will look at it every day, new landscape turf will look better and usually last longer for that use. If budget is the reason, compare a smaller area of new turf with a larger area of used turf before deciding.

What it costs

Used turf is priced well below new turf, but prices change with supply and condition, and we haven't found a published Ontario figure we can cite. Delivery of heavy rolls can be a big share of the total, so get it quoted with the turf. For comparison, new turf runs $3–$7 per sq ft from Ontario suppliers, material only.

Getting rid of old turf

If you're replacing turf, ask the installer whether they can take the old turf for reuse or recycling rather than landfill. Some suppliers that sell reclaimed turf will collect field-scale amounts.

Getting a quote

Pick 'Recycled or used turf' on the request form, give the area and what it's for, and say how far you can pick up or where it needs delivering. We'll pass it to a supplier who handles reclaimed turf.