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The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), the state agency responsible for evaluating health risks, has released the final version of its study evaluating crumb rubber infill used in synthetic turf fields, reaffirming what research has shown time and again: synthetic turf systems are safe. The study, one of the most comprehensive state-level evaluations of synthetic turf to date, concludes that the material is not likely to cause harm to users or spectators, finding no evidence of significant risk for cancer or other health problems to players, coaches, referees, or spectators, including young athletes.

In Episode 83, Scott Gerber, Program Director of the Better Play Initiative (BPI), discusses the organisation’s work on the safe and sustainable use of recycled rubber in sports and playground surfaces. He outlines key findings from independent and government studies, including research from the EPA and CalEPA, which have not identified significant health risks associated with crumb rubber infill.

In Casalmaggiore, Italy, known for its historic connection to the Po River, a team of entrepreneurs has developed a fully mobile recycling system for end-of-life turf. Presented by All Sports Recycled on June 4th, this unique wet separation technology effectively cleans and separates sand and crumb rubber, ensuring high circularity and cost efficiency.

This time, Episode 64 of the Tyre Recycling Podcast features Part 2 of the Tyre Recycling Panel Discussion recorded at the Circular Economy Forum during The Tire Cologne event. In this episode, Ewan Scott, Stephan Rau and Frank Cremer discuss the potential of brand only recycling; the barriers to rubberised asphalt; and the issue of crumb rubber infill and its replacement; and the challenge of dealing with OTR tyres.

The next BIR World Recycling Convention and Exhibition will take place from (26) 27 – 29 May 2024 in Copenhagen. The recycling market has been rocked by the European Commission’s decision to ban crumb rubber infill from use in synthetic turf surfaces at the end of an eight-year transition period. Therefore, the focus has shifted to alternative opportunities, with tyre pyrolysis attracting plenty of headlines, investment and imaginative thinking. Given the huge strides forward taken in this field over recent years, it will again form one of the main topics for debate at the upcoming BIR Tyres & Rubber Committee meeting to take place in Copenhagen on Tuesday May 28.

The UK government's stance on crumb rubber in sports pitches has come under scrutiny following the European Commission's ban on microplastics, which encompasses crumb rubber. Initially, the UK government stated no plans to ban crumb rubber but has since initiated consultations on intentionally added microplastics. Professor Andrew Watterson from the University of Stirling has called for a ban on toxic 3G crumb rubber pitches in Scotland due to identified health hazards.

After a break, the TRAC Rubber Recycling Symposium returned to its biennial schedule with an October conference in Nova Scotia. TRAC's President and CEO, Carol Hochu, emphasized the collective journey toward sustainability as the central theme of the event. Hosted by Divert NS in Nova Scotia, the symposium delved into sustainability rather than mere recycling, with Divert NS CEO Stacy Breau spotlighting the province's successful stewardship program boasting an 88.5% recovery rate. The recovered material finds application in road construction and engineering projects, with the aim to shift from recycling to a waste reduction approach.

On September 25, the European Commission has introduced a ban on crumb rubber infill, coinciding with the ban on intentionally added microplastics. This move addresses concerns about the use of crumb rubber in sports fields, which initially centered on the PAH content. Research revealed elevated PAH levels, even after reductions, prompting further investigation. The European Chemicals Agency's Risk Assessment Committee expanded the definition of microplastics to include any polymer under 5mm, encompassing most crumb rubber infill.

Australian government scientists have expressed increasing concerns about the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by synthetic turf, and they are calling for further investigation and regulation of its use. A new report by the Chief Scientist of New South Wales (NSW) reveals the presence of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds, in the rubber infill of synthetic turf. However, it is still important to find out if there is a risk of migration or if it is just a presence.