Alternative Solutions to Salt for De-Icing
We obviously need to keep our facility’s walkways slip-free, so what is the more eco-friendly solution? Here are some options:
Organic Salt-Free Deicer: Salt substitutes offer the same benefit of salt without the environmental damage and can easily be purchased from your local hardware store.
Alfalfa Meal: Commonly used as fertilizer, Alfalfa Meal is 100% natural and another great alternative to salt for deicing walkways. According to Farmers’ Almanac, the dry and grainy texture will provide additional traction while melting ice.
Sand, kitty litter or sawdust: While these are not deicers, they will provide additional traction if they are sprinkled directly on top of ice. However, if they get covered with snow, they will not be effective.
Heated mats: Placing heated mats on your stairs or walkways can help ensure no ice will build up in commonly used areas. In addition to lowering the maintenance you can reduce the potential for slip and fall issues at your facility.
It should be noted that heated mats could be viewed as an investment due to the price point. The money invested on these heated mats in theory will decrease cost for other on-going snow removal materials.
Shoveling and snow blowing: Consistent shoveling and snow removal is the best way to prevent ice from building up on your walkways and parking lots in the first place. Shoveling and snow blowing often ensures snow won’t compact and freeze.
