Sean Kelly, MEP for Ireland South, has voiced his concerns over the European Commission's proposal to ban the use of microplastics in sports fields, cosmetics, and cleaning products.

While acknowledging the negative environmental impact of microplastics, Kelly emphasizes the need for a “balanced approach that considers the socio-economic consequences and the interests of sports in communities”.

The European Commission's proposal specifically targets the use of microplastics derived from old tyre as infill on artificial sports surfaces, including those used for football, hockey, GAA, and rugby training facilities.

The increased usage of old tyres in artificial turf can be attributed, in part, to the ban on landfilling scrap tires in the EU.

However, a ban on their use in sports pitches would pose challenges for the EU recycling industry, as the leftover rubber would not be easily absorbed.

“This would likely result in more tires being exported beyond the EU for incineration, leading to increased emissions and further environmental damage”, said Kelly.

Kelly acknowledged that microplastics pollution caused by artificial sports pitches is significantly less than that generated by the manufacturing and use of new tires on the road. He highlights that the proposed ban “would impact up to 2,500 artificial pitches in Ireland alone and tens of thousands of surfaces across the EU, affecting sports clubs, schools, communities, colleges, and universities.”

In Irish football, for instance, there are approximately 600 all-weather full-sized pitches attached to soccer clubs, along with thousands of smaller facilities in communities, schools, and colleges.

The cost of constructing a full-sized facility currently ranges from €400,000 to €600,000, a figure that would substantially increase if environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as coconut shell, hemp, or cork, were mandated.

However, these options may not be feasible or sustainable and may not be suitable for cooler climates.