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MDE on synthetic turf study: deadline set, committee asks for recycling and technology details
Summary
MDE told the committee the synthetic turf study is due by 07/01/2026 and on track; several delegates pressed the agency to investigate whether industry recycling claims are accurate and asked for technology and safety updates for school fields.
Maryland Department of the Environment told the Environment and Transportation Committee that it is on track to complete a required synthetic turf study by July 1, 2026 and that the study will examine recyclability and reuse issues raised repeatedly by committee members.
Madam Secretary and Rick Kessler (director of the Land and Materials Administration) said the study will look at distinctions between "recycling" and "reusing" turf material and noted the agency knows of a small number of recyclers. "We know of a couple of recyclers, but it is definitely a big piece of what we're looking at for this study," Kessler said.
Several members said industry representatives had repeatedly told the committee turf fields could be recycled without providing clear examples or documented end uses. Delegate Telkate Frasier Odago said she was "very disturbing" that the industry had failed to answer the committee's repeated requests for recycling pathways and that she wanted the study to dig deep into that question.
Delegate Foley requested that the study include updates on turf technology and safety claims for school athletic fields; the secretary said she appreciated the suggestion but cautioned that expanding scope would require discussion because of the statutory deadline.
MDE reaffirmed the statutory due date of 07/01/2026 and said it is gathering data and stakeholder input. The committee requested follow-up details on recyclers identified and on how MDE will characterize reuse versus recycling in its report.
