Grass: Plastics

(asked on 28th April 2023) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a (a) ban and (b) tax on artificial grass for commercial and domestic use.


Answered by
Trudy Harrison Portrait
Trudy Harrison
This question was answered on 9th May 2023

While the use of artificial grass is not a criminal activity and we have no plans to ban, limit or tax its use, the Government does recognise that, in itself, artificial grass has no value for wildlife. Its installation can have negative impacts on soil health, biodiversity and drainage for flood prevention or alleviation if installed in place of natural earth or more positive measures, such as planting flowers or trees or providing natural water features. The Government has not assessed the potential costs and opportunities of restricting the use of artificial grass products.

Improving biodiversity is a key objective for the Government. We prefer to help people and companies make the right choice, rather than banning or taxing items outright. For example, the Environment Act 2021 introduced a number of policies that will support the restoration of habitat. Biodiversity Net Gain, Local Nature Recovery Strategies and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities will work together to drive action, including to create or restore habitats that enable wildlife to recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will help secure habitat for the long term.

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