Ostfold Research investigates the environmental impacts from artificial grass for soccer pitches
In the last few years, Norges Fotballforbund (the Norwegian Soccer Association, NFF) has been a driving force regarding the construction of artificial grass soccer pitches in Norway. NFF is guiding the facility consultants about the establishment and operation of such facilities. The association now wishes to take on further responsibility regarding the construction and operation seen in a holistic, environmental perspective.
This means increased focus on the construction and operation of the artificial grass soccer pitches in relation to environmental and climate impacts.
In the first phase of this project, civil engineer Kjetil Gulbrandsen from the consultancy network Jeløyrådgiverne is responsible for establishing requirements for the documentation of environmental impacts that the artificial grass suppliers must provide. This may be done by demanding Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) from the suppliers.
Before EPDs can be realised, Product Category Rules (PCR) for artificial grass must be developed. Jeløyrådgiverne has delegated the PCR development task to Ostfold Research due to our skills in the area of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Environmental Product Declarations.