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Tis the season for snow and ice – only fun if you're a penguin or like to walk with an ice pick. For the rest of us, the big challenge is dealing with frozen precipitation once it hits the ground, especially if we want to be "eco friendly." These tips will help.


5 Problems With Salt

1. Excess salts build up in the soil, just as they do with chemical fertilizers.

2. Salt residue prevents plants from absorbing moisture and nutrients.

3. Salts can leach heavy metals, which eventually make their way into water supplies.

4. Salt on grass or sidewalks close to roads can attract animals, which may be hit by cars if they're licking the salt from the ground.

5. Plus, salt can burn our pets if it lodges in their paws.


9 Eco-Friendly Ways to De-Ice Your Driveway

1. Shovel Snow

2. Go Electric (if you must)

3. Try a "Snow Melt Mat"
If you're installing a new driveway or replacing an old one, lay down electric wires to heat the driveway from below and radiate heat upwards. Yes, you pay for electricity, so it's not as "eco" as shoveling by hand. On the other hand, it may be better than using chemicals that pollute the water and endanger plants and pets. It would cost someone living in the Washington, DC area (where I live) about $14 in electricity each time the system was used – though that doesn't include the cost of installing the system. Electricity costs will vary by region. (NOTE: I'm not recommending you tear up a perfectly good driveway to put in a snow melt system!)

4. Get a Grip
Scatter sand or even birdseed for traction. The grains won't melt snow or ice, but they will give you more grip on icy surfaces.

5. Scrimp on the De-icer
Remember, the job of a de-icer is to loosen ice from below to make it easier to shovel or plow. Don't pile on the de-icer thinking you'll remove the ice completely. You won't. The recommended application rate for rock salt is around a handful per square yard you treat. Calcium chloride will treat about 3 square yards per handful.

6. Pick Your Salt Carefully

7. Skip the Kitty Litter or Wood Ashes

8. Avoid Products that Contain Nitrogen-Based Urea

9. Get the Boot

Photo by Todd Numan

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