OUR INNOVATION ISN’T LIMITED TO PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Our promise to keep players safe on our turf has naturally evolved into an obsession — a focus to make sustainable solutions.Now in everything we do, we strive for the lowest impact on people and the planet. As has become customary with our proud history of innovation and technological development, we are pioneering the next generations of synthetic turf.
It is estimated that today, only around 20% of plastic waste in the EU finds its way back into the plastics market. Approximately 1,000 synthetic turf fields are removed in Europe every year, equivalent to 15,000 tons of plastic waste is being generated. Only an estimated 10% is being recycled!
At FieldTurf, we wanted to change that. As we took our Sustain the Game strategy to the next level, we saw an opportunity to embrace technology and find a solution to closing the loop on our synthetic turf production cycle.
CHEMICAL RECYCLING
Using mass balance pyrolysis oil from post consumer and/or post-industrial end-of-life plastics.
MECHANICAL RECYCLING
Transformation of plastic waste into new raw material components.
ONE POLYMER TURF
Re-engineering turf to make it easier to recycle.
REPROCESSING END-OF-LIFE
Re-processing of end-of-life turf into new turf system components.
REPROCESSING END-OF-LIFE
Re-processing of end-of-life turf into new turf system components.
Provide sustainable solutions to overcome the current challenges of recycling processes.
Protect nature by transforming plastic waste into a valuable resource.
Endlessly recycle plastic waste by transforming it back into its components or other products.
Save CO2 emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of our industry.
Reduce landfilling and incineration by offering sustainable end-of-life options for all plastic waste.
Protect People & Planet; that’s our sustainability commitment
That means our innovation isn’t limited to product specs. Our promise to keep players safe on our turf has naturally evolved into an obsession — one with a singular focus to completely eliminate its potential to harm not just people but the environment, too. Now in everything we do, we strive for the lowest impact on people and the planet — from our zero turf to landfill commitment, to circular design, to the utmost care for those who play on and handle our products.
Our Key Pillars
Operational Footprint:
We’re working year over year to
minimize the environmental impact
of our operations, including reducing
the greenhouse gas emissions in our
manufacturing processes, so you can rest
easy knowing your field is contributing to
your sustainability goals.
Purpose-Led Products:
We offer a variety of sustainability-minded
products to further improve the impact
of your field. From natural infills to carpet
recycling, FieldTurf products let you make
the environmentally-conscious choice
without sacrificing quality
Protecting People & Athletes:
Safety is our #1 priority, always, whether
it’s keeping athletes safer on our fields
or ensuring our own people are kept safe
while they work. Through continuous
advancements in our systems and
processes, we strive not only to meet but
to exceed safety standards, ensuring a
superior experience for athletes and a
secure workplace for our employees.
Beyond the Field:
Our dedication to responsible
impact extends beyond the turf; it’s
about enhancing the lives within the
communities we touch. Our products
can help conserve local ecosystems and
increase the availability of play areas,
ensuring youth have consistent access to
active, engaging sports environments
Focused on Reducing Our Impact
We’re continuously improving our operations to reduce FieldTurf’s impact on climate change and help our clients achieve their climate goals, so the next generation of athletes can continue to play.
SBTi Approved
- Tarkett has set ambitious targets to reduce our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, which were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
- SBTi is dedicated to driving ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling organizations to set science-based reduction targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement
- We’ve already reduced our emissions by 41% since 201
We’re harnessing renewable energy to reduce our manufacturing impact
- Tarkett has entered into renewable energy contracts to power our manufacturing sites. So far, 13 plants are running off of 100% renewable electricity - that’s 44% of our energy consumption.
- FieldTurf polyethylene fibers are extruded with green energy. All of the electrical power consumed at Morton Extrusionstechnik, our state-of- the-art fiber extrusion plant, is certified to have been generated from renewable energies.
Going Beyond Mitigation * With FieldTurf’s carbon offset program, we’re reducing our greenhouse gas impact further than what we can immediately reduce. Clients can now make the installation of their fields carbon-neutral through our partnership with the Carbonfund Foundation.
Committed to Zero-Waste-to-Landfill
In our efforts to improve the circularity of our value chain, we’re eliminating waste and reducing the need for new materials in our products. We’re offering our clients new opportunities to improve the environmental impact of their fields, from manufacturing efficiencies, to installation, to end-of-life.
Goal Zero
- As part of our Goal Zero zero-waste-to-landfill commitment, FieldTurf is working to divert 100% of our job site and manufacturing waste from landfills by 2025 in North America. Partnering with us means moving one step closer to eliminating waste and transitioning to a circular economy.
- Through Goal Zero, over 350,000 lbs of job site waste was diverted in 2023
Our fields are 100% recyclable
- All the components in the systems manufactured by FieldTurf are 100% recyclable. FieldTurf is expanding its partnerships with recycling facilities across North America to be able to recycle carpet from anywhere, anytime, once it’s reached the end of its life.
Infill can be regenerated and re-used
- When replacing your aged surface, you can choose to either reuse the existing infill on your next project or leverage our Infill Take Back program. The reclaimed material is collected, cleaned, and recycled in future projects. Both options deliver a material that has been tested and proven to equal new infill in quality and durability, but with the added bonus of greatly reducing your project cost and carbon footprint.
- FieldTurf is dedicated to increasing our number of recycling facilities that can take back infill and reprocess it. The Infill Take Back Program may not be available in your area
A Better Solution
We were founded with the promise to create a better solution for athletes — and now we extend that dedication to all the lives we touch through investments in safety research, product performance, and respect for the well-being of our teams and our communities.
Extensive athlete safety research
- FieldTurf collaborates with renowned research institutions like the University of Calgary and The Center for Sports Surface Research at Penn State on a variety of studies to help optimize player safety and performance, helping protect athletes and preventing injuries.
Reduce the need for fertilizers and chemicals
- With synthetic turf, there’s no need to add fertilizers or spray harsh chemicals that may be harmful to athletes, communities, and the environment through direct exposure or runoff.
SmartTeam and cutting-edge research
- With the help of advanced biometrics and real-time analytics, the SmartTeam Project will collect millions of data points obtained through athlete-monitoring wearables, video analytics, and surface testing. The project’s mission is to translate the findings into tangible learnings that could result in meaningful change for athletes.
Tarkett Human-Conscious Design®
- All of our surfaces are designed with people and the planet as our first priority. Since Tarkett’s inception, we’ve worked diligently to create healthier spaces and improve the quality of life of our fields’ users.
Making A Difference Beyond the Field
We can help make a difference both on the field, and beyond. Our fields can conserve resources and prevent damage to surrounding local ecology. Our team also works to ensure our communities are thriving, because when a community thrives, so do its sports.
We conserve water
- Water is a human right that is essential to life, and its stewardship is core to our sustainability strategy. From manufacturing to installation, our products address water efficiency, scarcity, and quality.
- Every FieldTurf field is estimated to save 2 million* gallons of water annually vs natural grass
Get more activity for the same field
- Between seasonal changes and downtime for maintenance and grass recovery, high-quality natural grass fields can only be used for a fraction of the time an artificial turf field can, which means a FieldTurf field will give you more use and more play time for your athletes and community. Synthetic turf can be played on for 3,000 hours/year, whereas natural grass fields can only be played on for 300 – 600 hours to maintain the best playable condition.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Champions
We believe in shaping a brighter future through the power of sport and community. By focusing on protecting the future of play, our ‘Better Tomorrow’ represents the charitable spirit of our organization, dedicated to empowering sports and coaches in need through meaningful partnerships and support. Our program is more than just a pledge; it’s an active engagement in uplifting communities, fostering an environment of inclusivity, and nurturing the growth of sportsmanship and talent.
Across our group, we're industry-leaders in sustainability.
For Tarkett, this means putting people and planet first, caring about the environment and the health of present and future generations incorporated by our Tarkett Human-Conscious Design® approach. It is our holistic way of doing business, capable of marrying the specific expectations of each of our customers with the profound challenges of protecting our planet, reducing our carbon footprint and changing the game with circular economy. Working together with our partners, we deliver safer and healthier spaces in which people can reach their full potential. By joining forces, we build a stronger foundation - one we can all stand firmly on, for generations to come.
View Tarkett’s CSR (Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility) report Here. It outlines our achievements and milestones towards a more sustainable future.
Here are some key achievements of the year 2023:
- Lower emissions: 44% of the company’s total energy consumption in 2023 comes from renewable electricity, in progress versus 2022.
- Less Waste: 29 countries are part of Tarkett’s Restart® take-back and recycling program, reaching 119 000 tons of collected flooring in the last 13 years.
- Supporting local communities: in 2023, 500 employees participated to Tarkett Cares program. Over the last seven years, Tarkett has contributed to more than 900 community initiatives with employees volunteering over 3,800 days of community service.
"As part of our climate roadmap, we have successfully reduced our greenhouse gas emissions at our production sites by 47% in the last four years, notably through improved energy efficiency and sourcing renewable electricity. I am also very proud that we have increased the proportion of women in management positions throughout 2023, well in line with our 2025 target." Fabrice Barthélemy, CEO, Tarkett