Holcim UK deliver sustainable sand solution to Croydon school

New synthetic pitch installation includes proportion of recycled sand from decade-old former pitch 

HOLCIM UK have delivered a sustainable solution for the replacement of an astro turf pitch at a Croydon school. The project at Oasis Academy has seen the installation of a new synthetic pitch using Holcim UK’s ProPitch 2EW sports sand, with a focus on recycling and eco-friendly practices.

The former pitch had been in place for more than a decade and, following years of use, its quality had slowly deteriorated and, therefore, needed replacing. Holcim UK collaborated with contractors Replay Maintenance and facilities-management company Vinci to supply the necessary sand product – an essential component in ensuring the durability and playability of the new turf.

In line with the project’s commitment to sustainability, a significant portion of the existing materials were recycled. Approximately 40 tonnes of sand were recovered from the old pitch and transported to Holcim UK’s Garside Sands site in Leighton Buzzard. Here, the old sand was added to the raw sand feed collected from a nearby lake before being washed, dried, and processed into different grades. The result was 140 tonnes of ProPitch 2EW sand, including a proportion of the recycled material, tailored specifically for use with synthetic pitches.

‘This specific grade of sand was selected for this project because of its compatibility with artificial surfaces, making it an ideal choice for the academy’s new astro turf,’ said Sean Colbert, specialist sands sales manager at Garside Sands. ‘We’re proud to have been able to integrate recycled sand into the mix, supporting both the project’s environmental goals and its need for high-performance materials.’

A spokesperson for Oasis Academy said: ‘More and more, we’re trying to include sustainable practices in what we do at the school, and when we contracted the work for the new astro turf pitch we were all in agreement that supplying sustainable products was a priority. We were so impressed that Holcim UK were able to recycle the sand from our decade-old astro turf and turn that into a new, fit-for-purpose product.’

Helen Wyche, commercial manager at Vinci, added: ‘We too were really pleased with the level of recycled products used in the new pitch at Oasis Academy, as this was a key element of the project. The recycling of the sand from the former synthetic pitch conserves natural resources, minimizes environmental impact and, therefore, contributes to a more sustainable approach to sports facility construction, which all feeds very nicely into supporting our environmental ambitions as a business too.

‘Holcim UK’s impressive reputation within the sands sector, paired with their constant strive and desire to provide a sustainable solution to a project, made them the perfect partner for us. What’s more, it was all turned around very quickly, meaning we could meet our tight timescales, and the children were able to enjoy their new astro turf pitch during the wet winter months.’

Holcim UK say this project demonstrates the versatility and sustainability of their sports sands products, which have been successfully used across a range of high-profile locations, including schools, universities, and Premier League stadiums.