HOW TO USE ROAD SALT WITHOUT HARMING THE ENVIRONMENT

Road salt helps to keep walkways and roadways safe in winter. However, it can also harm the environment, especially when used in large amounts. Here’s what you should know about the effects of road salt on the environment and how you can mitigate its harmful effects.

How road salt impacts the environment

Road salt is an indispensable tool for preventing ice buildup on walkways and roads. In fact, it significantly reduces the number of car accidents and slip-and-fall incidents during winter. However, its use raises environmental concerns.

Road salt can harm insects, birds and other wildlife. In addition, the chloride ions from road salt can find its way into waterways, where it can harm freshwater plants and fish.

How to mitigate the environmental impact of road salt

If you use road salt on walkways, driveways or for other small-scale residential or commercial purposes, you should make an effort to limit how much salt you use.

Here are some tips:

• • Always remove as much snow as you can with a shovel or snow blower before applying salt. Road salt is only effective at melting a thin layer of ice and snow. Don’t overapply. If you’re spreading it by hand, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Even better, use a walk-behind spreader. These devices are designed to uniformly apply the precise amount of salt that’s required. Don’t apply salt during a cold snap. Road salt is most effective at temperatures lower than -10 C and becomes ineffective at temperatures lower than -20 C. After applying the salt, make sure you give the product time to do its job (refer to the product instructions). Once it has fully taken effect, shovel any excess ice and slush. Only reapply after this step if necessary.
   
• • Don’t overapply. If you’re spreading it by hand, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Even better, use a walk-behind spreader. These devices are designed to uniformly apply the precise amount of salt that’s required.
   
• • Don’t apply salt during a cold snap. Road salt is most effective at temperatures lower than -10 C and becomes ineffective at temperatures lower than -20 C.
   
• • After applying the salt, make sure you give the product time to do its job (refer to the product instructions). Once it has fully taken effect, shovel any excess ice and slush. Only reapply after this step if necessary.

If your company spreads road salt on roadways, there are a number of guidelines you should follow. The Government of Canada recommends that snow-removal companies develop a salt management plan that deals with key issues such as how to responsibly dispose of slush containing road salt. The City of Toronto recommends that contractors sign up for the Smart About Salt program, which teaches them how they can minimize the impact of salt on the environment.

It’s also important for contractors to have a quality truck bed or truck tailgate salt spreader that uniformly spreads road salt.

Top-quality salt spreaders in the GTA

Turn to Hitch City to find a walk-behind, truck bed or truck tailgate salt spreader that meets your needs and minimizes the environmental impact of road salts. We’re also one of the leading snow blower and snowplow dealers in the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us today to learn more.