A waste management audit will flag up opportunities for
waste minimalisation and cost reduction
of a slow release nature, which is generally considered to be released over a two-year period.
Further information on the use of compost on
sportsfields is available on the publications section of the WRAP website
www.wrap.org.uk.
Pesticide use
Integrated pest and disease management is the way forward, using chemical and cultural techniques to complement each other until a more disease-tolerant grass equilibrium can be reached. If problems escalate to a point where a pesticide application is required, select the lowest toxicity product available and only apply to affected areas (i.e. spot treat as necessary).
Minimising water use
Minimising the use of fresh water for irrigation is becoming a higher priority for UK turf managers (especially those in the South East of England) and many are finding that irrigating with fresh water is no longer an option. Good practices include:
• Select grasses with low water use rates
• Use of finer grasses on low- wear areas and amenity lawns
• Ensure that irrigation systems are efficient where used
• Use aeration, wetting agents and hand watering where possible to make best use of the water you have available
Many countries utilise grey water/recycled water to irrigate where necessary and this may become an option in the long-term.
It should also be noted that topdressing with green waste compost (see above) improves the water holding capacity of the rootzone and enhances turf growth under hot, dry weather conditions.
Reducing ‘product miles’
The ‘buy local’ campaigns that are prominent in the food industry do have relevance to the turf industry. Buying locally produced goods can significantly reduce the energy required to get the products to the end user. Many fertilisers, amendments and machinery options are produced in the UK and it makes sense to source local goods where possible.
Waste disposal
Waste disposal is a major issue in the turf industry and turf managers need to ensure that they consider waste management options. A waste management audit will immediately flag up opportunities for waste minimisation and cost reduction, and these will form the basis of a long-term waste minimisation strategy (Penrose & Taylor 2007). An audit should include the following:
• Clippings disposal
• Wash-down bays/recycling systems
• Machinery disposal • Pesticide management • Oil disposal
For further information on waste management audits visit
www.stri.co.uk.
Conclusion
The cumulative effect of many small management changes can have a significant effect on the overall environmental impact of turf management activities. Many of these changes have zero financial cost, but can create significant environmental benefits. It is also worth remembering that the turfgrass sward itself is locking up carbon within the soil/root system and can provide a contribution to the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
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