Updated October 2026. Five practical ways to reuse old or leftover artificial grass, how to get rid of what you can’t use, and what turf means when you sell a home. Program rules and research notes were read on the Southern Nevada Water Authority and EPA sites on October 26, 2026.
Old or leftover artificial grass can be reused as a pet area, a putting green, a weed barrier, walkway edging or a donation to a school or club. As of October 2026, some water agencies even count permeable artificial turf in lawn conversions: the Southern Nevada Water Authority pays homeowners $5 per square foot of grass they replace with water-smart landscaping.
Jump to: 🪜 Five ways to reuse it · 🏠 Check it first · ⏱️ Getting rid of it · 💲 Water rebates · 🤝 Turf and selling · ❓ FAQ
Key takeaways
- Leftover turf from an install is the easiest to reuse: cut it to size for a pet run, a doormat or a small putting green.
- Check old turf for worn backing, mold and loose infill before you reuse it, especially for pets and kids.
- Federal agencies studied tire crumb infill on fields; EPA released exposure findings in April 2024. Ask what infill your turf uses.
- In Southern Nevada, rebated lawn conversions need a permeable surface and a conservation easement that keeps grass from coming back.
Artificial grass is bulky and doesn’t break down, so throwing it out is a waste of both money and landfill space. Most of it has more life left than people think. Here’s what to do with it, from a few leftover scraps to a whole old lawn.
What can you do with old or leftover artificial grass?
1. Make a pet play area
A section of turf gives dogs a clean spot to run and play, and it keeps mud out of the house. Lay it over a base that drains well, and rinse it often. Old turf with torn backing isn’t a good fit here, because it traps smells and won’t drain. Pick the best section of your old lawn, or use new leftover pieces.
2. Build a small putting green
Short, dense turf makes a fun backyard putting surface. Shape the ground first to add gentle slopes, then lay the turf and cut a cup or two. You won’t get a pro green from old lawn turf, but you’ll get a place to practice short putts. Edge it with pavers or stone so it stays put.
3. Use it as a weed barrier
Turf laid face-down over a garden path or under a raised bed can block light and slow weeds. This works best in spots you don’t plant, like behind a shed or along a fence. Keep it out of planting beds, since roots need air and water to pass through.
4. Line a walkway or edge a patio
Strips of turf between stepping stones give a neat, green look with no mowing. They also soften the edge of a patio or a gravel path. Cut the strips cleanly and pin them down so they don’t curl. If you’re planning a bigger project, our guide to landscaping with natural stone pairs well with turf.
5. Donate it
Schools, daycares, community gardens, animal shelters and youth sports clubs sometimes take usable turf for play areas, batting cages or dog runs. Call ahead and send photos with the size and condition. Clean it before you drop it off. Giving it away is often easier than paying to haul it.
Smaller scraps work as doormats, mats under a grill, liners for a pet crate or a green top on a garden bench. For more yard ideas, see 6 Big Projects You Can Try Out In An Empty Garden and our backyard makeover ideas.
How do you check if old artificial grass is safe to reuse?
Before reusing turf, roll it out and look closely. A quick check saves you from moving a problem to a new spot.
| Check | What to look for | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Backing | Cracks, holes, crumbling | Use only small, solid pieces, or discard |
| Blades | Flat, brittle or faded fibers | Fine for weed barrier, not for play areas |
| Smell and stains | Pet odor, mold, oil | Clean and dry fully; discard if it stays |
| Infill | Sand, rubber crumb or other granules | Shake out before moving; ask what it is |
| Drainage | Water should pass through the backing | Keep it off planted soil |
About infill: some turf, mostly on sports fields, uses crumb rubber made from old tires. In 2016, the EPA, the CDC’s ATSDR and the Consumer Product Safety Commission started a joint research plan on tire crumb used in fields and playgrounds. EPA released Part 1 of its findings in 2019 and Part 2, on how people are exposed, in April 2024. If you’re reusing turf where kids or pets will spend time, it’s fair to ask the installer what infill it has and read the EPA’s summary.
How do you get rid of artificial grass you can’t reuse?
Turf is heavy and bulky once it’s rolled up. Here’s the order we’d try:
- Offer it for free online with photos and the size. Many people want turf for a dog run or a garage floor.
- Ask the installer of your new lawn whether they take old turf back for reuse or recycling.
- Call your local solid waste agency about bulk pickup or drop-off rules.
- Hire a junk removal company as a last resort, and ask where the turf goes.
Shake out loose infill first and cut the turf into rolls you can lift. Removing a lawn during a bigger project? Our tips on handling waste during a home remodel help you plan for it.
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On homes listed by other agents, Beycome credits you up to 2% of the price at closing (1% kept, $1,499 minimum; not on FSBO homes or homes listed by Beycome sellers).
Buy a home →With your old turf put to better use, you may need new turf right away. If you live in Arizona, you can find an artificial grass dealer in Yuma, AZ, through a supplier’s turf finder, who can deliver and install a fresh lawn. A well-installed lawn is an investment that lasts for years.
Can artificial grass help you get a water rebate?
In some dry areas, yes, with conditions. The Southern Nevada Water Authority’s Water Smart Landscapes program rebates single-family homes $5 per square foot of grass removed and replaced with desert landscaping, for the first 10,000 square feet, and $2.50 per square foot after that, per property, per fiscal year.
The rules matter. The converted area must let air and water through. Permeable artificial turf counts, along with rock, bark and plants, but plastic and concrete don’t. If you use turf, plants elsewhere in that front or back yard can count toward the program’s 50% plant coverage rule. Remove nothing until SNWA does a pre-conversion inspection. After the final inspection, you sign a conservation easement meant to keep you from putting grass back.
Other water agencies have their own programs and rules, and some don’t count turf at all. Check yours before you buy anything.
Does artificial grass matter when you sell a home?
Buyers notice yards in photos and showings. A clean, flat, well-drained turf lawn looks tidy year-round and signals low upkeep. Worn, faded or smelly turf does the opposite, so replace or remove it before you list. Our guide to listing photos that upgrade your property shows how much the yard counts.
Keep records too. Note when the turf was installed, any warranty, and whether you joined a rebate program. If your yard is under a water agency easement, tell buyers early and share the paperwork, since it may limit what they can plant. For more pre-sale work, use our home renovation checklist.
When you’re ready, a flat fee MLS listing with Beycome puts your home on the local MLS from $99, with $0 due to Beycome at closing. You keep control of showings and offers.
Frequently asked questions about old artificial grass
What can I do with leftover artificial grass?
Cut it into a pet area, a small putting green, doormats or walkway strips. Clean, usable pieces can also go to a school, shelter or sports club.
Can you put artificial grass over real grass or dirt?
Not directly if you want it to last. Remove the grass, level the soil and lay a base that drains well. Turf laid over grass or loose dirt tends to sink, smell and grow weeds.
Can old artificial grass be used as a weed barrier?
Yes, in spots you don’t plant, like paths or behind a shed. Keep it out of planting beds, because roots need air and water.
Is old artificial turf safe for pets?
It can be if the backing drains, it’s clean and it has no loose infill. Discard pieces with mold, strong odor or crumbling backing.
How do I dispose of artificial grass?
Try giving it away first, then ask your installer about take-back. After that, check your local solid waste agency’s bulk rules or hire a hauler.
Does artificial turf qualify for water rebates?
Sometimes. In Southern Nevada, permeable artificial turf can be part of a rebated conversion, with plant coverage rules and a conservation easement. Rules vary by water agency.
Rebate amounts and rules as published by the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and research notes as published by the EPA, read October 26, 2026; programs change, so confirm with your water agency. Beycome prices as of October 2026; “$0 at closing” means no Beycome fee at closing, while other closing costs still apply. Beycome lists in 17 states and DC. General information, not safety or legal advice.
Sources
- Southern Nevada Water Authority, Water Smart Landscapes rebate, read October 26, 2026.
- EPA, federal research on recycled tire crumb used on playing fields and playgrounds, read October 26, 2026.
- Beycome, listing package features, October 2026.
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