Aside from damaging your capital assets, ice melt products have historically been dangerous for plants and animals. They would chemically burn vegetation and crack your pet’s paws. Fortunately, some manufacturers have created high-performing products that are more responsible for the environment. This post explores emerging environmentally conscious ice melts and what to look for.
How Does Ice Melt Work?
First, ice melt products are designed to melt through the snow and ice and break the bond between the snow and ice and concrete and pavement. They are typically made from a combination of sodium chloride (salt), calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride and are applied ahead of time as a preventative measure. Chlorides are effective at clearing snow and ice; however, they significantly damage the environment in high dosages.
Reducing Chlorides For Safer Ice Melts
Suppose my choices of effective ice melt products contain mostly chlorides. How can I choose one that uses fewer chlorides and is more environmentally responsible?
The simple truth is only using products that melt effectively at lower use rates and are highly visible to prevent over-application. The use of colour markers allows the applicator to use less product by reducing over-application. If you can’t see where it is going, how do you know how much you are using? Best practice manufacturers use non-staining food-grade marker colours that will break down quickly under UV light. Effective products contain ingredients with the proper particle size to get the job done but not stick around and tranferred onto vegetation. They also use additives that allow the product to work faster, to a lower temperature, and last longer, thus reducing the application interval and amount applied at any time.
Some innovations to look out for:
- FS2000 is a low (30%) chloride solution that coats every particle to start melting in seconds at lower temperatures.
- Corrosion inhibitors reduce metal fatigue.
- Food-grade colour markers make it easy to see and reduce over application.
Swish has developed Swish Clean & Green® IceMelter, which is environmentally responsible and practical, combining FS2000, corrosion inhibitors and colour markers. This ice melter is designed to help improve traction and increase the safety of pedestrian and vehicle traffic while being gentle on vegetation, plants, concrete, floors, carpeting, and leather.
How to Find The Right Ice Melt?
How can one find these products? Look for products with the Safer Choice logo that meet US EPA safer product standards or a Leed Compliant logo rated for sustainability. Consult educated professionals about ice melting products and offer products with these attributes. Try the products yourself because the real test is seeing an ice melt product work effectively with your own eyes. Swish representatives will be happy to present the different options based on your application and required melt temperatures.
We look forward to helping you keep your parking lots, walkways and entrances clean and safe this winter season.
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