Return to nature: breaking down the new plastic-free erosion control blankets

Return to nature: breaking down the new plastic-free erosion control blankets

Following a two-year study with the Illinois Center for Transportation, the Bureau of Design and Environment has begun using plastic-free erosion control blankets in projects throughout the state. The natural blankets break down over time, unlike their plastic predecessors, which remained onsite long after construction was completed, causing issues with mowers and other equipment during maintenance activities and entangling wildlife.

Environmental Policy Manager Scott Marlow, Landscape and Environmental Resource Specialist Kimberly Burkwald and Standards and Specifications Unit Chief Ally Kelley helped IDOT make the change. Marlow shares more below.

What are erosion control blankets?

Erosion control blankets consist of a fiber blanket with a netting material. They are used to keep the soil in place during rain and allow vegetation to grow. Many products use polypropylene or other plastic netting. There is a growing trend in the industry to offer natural, nonplastic erosion control products.  

Why are the plastic-free erosion control blankets important?

Plastic-free erosion control blankets have multiple benefits. They reduce equipment maintenance costs, because they break down and the natural material does not get tangled in mowing and maintenance equipment. More importantly, these plastic-free erosion control blankets are better for the environment, as they reduce the amount of microplastics in waterways and provide wildlife-friendly solutions. These efforts are highly favored by regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Where are they being used?

Erosion control blankets are used on many projects, especially those requiring an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permit authorizing stormwater discharge from a construction site. As of Aug. 1, 2025, all of IDOT's erosion control blankets are plastic-free. There's also a new wildlife-friendly option, which includes a sliding netting design. This option is intended for use when there are known occurrences of threatened and endangered species in the vicinity of a construction project. 

Anything else?

The research study showed that plastic-free blankets perform comparable to polypropylene blankets for a similar cost. We are proud to make this change for the betterment of the environment and have already received inquiries from other interested DOTs. To give an idea of the impact of this change, IDOT awarded 2.9 million square yards of erosion control blankets on the state letting last year.