Winter is officially here, it looks like a winter wonderland outside! On a snowy day  we rush out to shovel,  covering our driveways and sidewalks with salt, making them safer to walk on. Unfortunately, rock salt is not particularly good for the plants and trees nearby, the pets who walk on the sidewalk and steps, or the water that flows off the drive. Not to mention we track the residue into our homes on our shoes.

Rock salt is inexpensive, easy to apply and effective but it’s a real environmental threat, killing trees and vegetation, contaminating waterways and groundwater, and poisoning wildlife. Sodium chloride deicers are corrisive and can burn pet’s paws.

What’s worse, once salt gets into an environment, it’s there to stay. It doesn’t evaporate or breakdown–it simply accumulates, compounding the problem.

What are some green alternatives; safer for people, pet’s and the environment? 

 Read labels, anything with chloride in it should be avoided or used as minimally as possible. Calcium magnesium acetate and potassium acetate is the best choice for a deicer but can be very costly. Spreading kitty litter, sand or ash does not melt ice but will help make a non skid surface and can be brushed into the surrounding plants without causing harm to the veggitation.  Although, these options can be messy, tracking into the home on shoes and pet’s paws. 

The best solution is to clear the snow from driveways and walking surfaces before it has a chance to become compacted, or pay someone else to do this. That way, limited salt needs to be used. Also, wear footwear designed for the snow or modify existing shoes with Yaxtrax or Icer’s to walk safely on snowy driveways.