On January 24, Melanie Taylor, President and CEO of the Synthetic Turf Council (STC), submitted testimony to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors expressing STC's strong opposition to the proposed motion to ban synthetic turf in the County. Taylor’s testimony highlights the significant environmental and community benefits of synthetic turf while addressing concerns related to safety and accessibility.

"Recreational fields are more than just playing surfaces, they are essential community infrastructure," said Taylor. "Families, schools, and businesses choose synthetic turf because it provides year-round access to affordable, durable, and eco-friendly fields, especially in drought-prone states like California. A ban on turf in Santa Clara County will only hurt communities by depriving them of these long-term benefits and cost savings that turf uniquely provides."

When the Board of Supervisors for Santa Clara County last considered this motion to ban turf in August, there was significant opposition from business owners, soccer players, and parents about the potential ban – in fact, on August 13, many of these folks voiced their concerns at a Board meeting. Although synthetic turf was not on the official agenda that day, it accounted for 75% of the public comments, and notably, pro-turf voices outnumbered anti-turf voices by a 2:1 margin.

STC has strongly opposed the ban and has taken several actions over the past few months in opposition. In August, Taylor submitted written testimony to the Board before it tabled the proposal to ban the use of turf in the county for reconsideration in January. Ahead of that August hearing, STC wrote a piece opposing the proposed ban, emphasizing the industry's commitment to finding innovative solutions for fields at the end of their life and ensuring the safety of its products through the absence of intentionally-added PFAS in synthetic turf.

Taylor's full testimony can be found here.

STC continues to welcome the opportunity to work with policymakers and community members in Santa Clara County to ensure that families, businesses, and schools can use synthetic turf and enjoy its benefits. To learn more about the benefits of synthetic turf, please visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.

About Synthetic Turf Council (STC)

The Synthetic Turf Council (STC) is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association serving the synthetic turf industry. Its mission is to lead, educate, and advocate for the synthetic turf industry. Founded in 2003, the STC is a resource for credible, independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf, as well as technical guidance on the selection, installation, maintenance, and environmentally responsible disposal of synthetic turf. STC membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers, and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.