Say No to Artificial Turf at Grover Cleveland Middle School!

We need your help to stop a toxic artificial turf project at Grover Cleveland Middle School in West Caldwell!

West Caldwell Township is seeking funding through the State of NJ Green Acres Program for improvements at Grover Cleveland Middle School located at 36 Academy Road, Caldwell, NJ 07006, part of Block 42, Lot 6 at the intersection of Thomas Street and Academy Road in Caldwell, NJ.

These “improvements” include a proposal to replace an existing grass/natural baseball field with a synthetic artificial turf field (see public notice here). West Caldwell’s proposed artificial turf field would have serious environmental and public health impacts.

Artificial turf is made up of toxic chemicals like PFAS, known to be harmful to human health and the environment. PFAS are known and suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disrupting compounds, and respiratory irritants. These chemicals have been linked to numerous health issues including cancer, nervous system toxicity, immune dysfunction, thyroid disease, and cardiovascular disease.These playing fields put children in direct contact with a PFAS-containing material, directly putting children in harm's way.

On a warm day, synthetic turf radiates more heat than a plant-based surface, leading to extreme temperatures and contributing to the heat island effect. Artificial turf can be 20–50° F hotter than natural grass. For example, on a 96°F day, artificial turf can reach temperatures of up to 158°F. The elevated surface temperatures of artificial turf fields have been shown to contribute to heat-related illness. One study found football players are eleven times more likely to suffer a heat-related illness playing on synthetic turf.

Furthermore, a synthetic turf field lasts 8 to 10 years on average. Thousands of pounds of infill and plastic carpet must be removed and replaced at disposal. Using conventional methods, mixed plastic waste, such as synthetic turf, is not recyclable. Therefore, they are typically sent to landfills, where they will remain for centuries. Sometimes, turf is improperly dumped outside of landfills.

Natural grass may be more expensive to maintain, however, it’s cheaper over the long term. The total cost of artificial turf over 20 years is over $7 million, compared to natural grass at $2.9 million.

We need you to send a message to Nikole Baltycki, Township Administrator, opposing this harmful artificial turf proposal in West Caldwell, for the sake of our children’s public health and safety and to protect our environment!

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Say No to Artificial Turf at Grover Cleveland Middle School!

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We urge West Caldwell Township to rescind their proposal to NJDEP for an artificial turf field at Grover Cleveland Middle School. West Caldwell’s proposed artificial turf field would have serious environmental and public health impacts. Artificial turf is made up of toxic chemicals like PFAS, known to be harmful to human health and the environment. PFAS are known and suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disrupting compounds, and respiratory irritants. These chemicals have been linked to numerous health issues including cancer, nervous system toxicity, immune dysfunction, thyroid disease, and cardiovascular disease.These playing fields put children in direct contact with a PFAS-containing material, directly putting children in harm's way. On a warm day, synthetic turf radiates more heat than a plant-based surface, leading to extreme temperatures and contributing to the heat island effect. Artificial turf can be 20–50° F hotter than natural grass. For example, on a 96°F day, artificial turf can reach temperatures of up to 158°F. The elevated surface temperatures of artificial turf fields have been shown to contribute to heat-related illness. One study found football players are eleven times more likely to suffer a heat-related illness playing on synthetic turf. Furthermore, a synthetic turf field lasts 8 to 10 years on average. Thousands of pounds of infill and plastic carpet must be removed and replaced at disposal. Using conventional methods, mixed plastic waste, such as synthetic turf, is not recyclable. Therefore, they are typically sent to landfills, where they will remain for centuries. Sometimes, turf is improperly dumped outside of landfills. Natural grass may be more expensive to maintain, however, it’s cheaper over the long term. The total cost of artificial turf over 20 years is over $7 million, compared to natural grass at $2.9 million. We urge you to invest in safe, non-toxic, natural grass for the Grover Cleveland Middle School, and not put out children in direct contact with plastic carpets that shed toxic chemicals, overheat and endanger athletes, and damage the environment.

By taking this action to protect the planet, you are affirming you want to receive regular Sierra Club communications and may vote on policy designated by the Sierra Club Board.