The sleeving is a relatively simple concept. It ensures that all material is contained in the rolls from the moment they are rolled up on the pitch until they go into the shredder at the recycling facility. All it requires is the means to lift the roll off the pitch so that a sleeve – made out of recycled plastic – can be put on it and sealed. To ensure that the synthetic turf is fully traceable throughout Re-Match’s patented process all sleeves are marked with a unique number representing the individual field. The sleeves are recycled together with the worn-out synthetic turf.

Prior to deciding to introduce sleeving, Re-Match looked closely at possible alternatives but found that the only steps which were taken to limit spillage was to transport the rolls in closed containers or on trucks with tarpaulin side curtains. “However, this solution only partly addressed the problem in one of seven steps of the removal and transport of pitches which we identified as potential spillage situations,” says CEO, Dr. Stefaan Florquin. ”So we went with sleeving as it is by far the most effective solution.”

Re-Match’s sleeving initiative is taken ahead of any local legislation put forward in the countries in which the company operates but due to the real environmental problem which contamination with microplastics represents – it is likely that the industry at some point will have to follow suit.

“Our decision is a testimony to our vision of what true turf recycling means,” says CEO, Dr. Stefaan Florquin and continues: “We want to make a real difference – and it is this ambition that has also made us the only recycling company to offer an ETV certified solution, full traceability of recycled material and full reversion of materials into +90% clean end products – ready for new production cycles.”