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<br /> <br />Description <br />As scientific understanding of plastic pollution evolves, evidence increasingly supports reducing <br />plastic use where readily available alternatives exist. Outdoor plastic surfaces including artificial turf, <br />synthetic rubber and pour-in-place materials are commonly used in landscaping, playgrounds, dog parks, <br />gathering areas and sports fields. Natural and biodiverse alternatives are available for each of these <br />settings. <br />Landscaping. There are abundant drought-tolerant California native or climate-appropriate <br />plants that meet water-efficiency goals while providing ecological benefits. Functional landscapes can be <br />designed to require low maintenance, conserve water and support soil health and biodiversity. <br />Playgrounds. Non-plastic surfacing options such as engineered wood fiber (EWF) provide safety <br />and accessibility while avoiding synthetic materials. Nature-based design approaches can further <br />enhance play experiences without reliance on plastic components. <br />Dog parks and gathering areas. Grass crushed granite and engineered wood fiber provide <br />cooler usable surfaces. Trees and shrubs and shaded seating improve comfort and ecological <br />performance. <br />Sports fields. Sustainably managed natural grass sports fields are operating in California, <br />including McKegney Green in the Town of Tiburon and fields in Sonoma County designed for high levels <br />of play. In Santa Clara County cities such as Palo Alto are pursuing organically compatible pilot sports <br />fields as alternatives to artificial turf. Internationally, natural grass fields continue to serve community <br />sports organizations including the Mossman Football Club in Australia. Independent academic research <br />has examined the environmental performance and lifecycle impacts of artificial turf compared to <br />managed natural grass, highlighting climate and cost considerations relevant to municipal decision <br />makers. This research demonstrates that properly managed natural grass systems offer viable <br />alternatives to artificial turf. While plastic fields are often promoted for durability, natural grass fields can <br />support substantial play hours when maintained appropriately. <br />Where It's Been Implemented <br />Landscaping. Major California campuses are transitioning portions of their grounds to organically <br />managed landscaping systems that reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and prioritize soil health, water <br />conservation and ecological function. Stanford University has advanced sustainable landscape <br />management practices as part of its broader sustainability commitments. UC Berkeley and UCLA have <br />also implemented organic or climate-appropriate landscape management strategies. <br />Playgrounds. Nature-based playground design is being promoted in San Mateo County through <br />educational resources that support outdoor learning environments built around natural materials and <br />living systems. Engineered wood fiber is widely used across the United States as an ADA-compliant <br />safety surface that avoids synthetic rubber and plastic-based materials. <br />Sports fields. Independent academic research has examined the environmental performance <br />and lifecycle impacts of artificial turf compared to managed natural grass, highlighting climate and cost <br />considerations relevant to municipal decision makers. <br />Sustainably managed natural grass sports fields are operating in California, including McKegney <br />Green in the Town of Tiburon and fields in Sonoma County designed for high levels of play. In Santa <br />Clara County, cities such as Palo Alto are pursuing organically compatible pilot sports fields as <br /> <br />Alternatives to Plastic in Spaces Page 2 of 5 <br />