Last updated on October 8th, 2024 at 01:17 pm
Yard & garden
Eco-Friendly Snow Removal Tips For a Green Winter Wonderland
The weather outside is frightful, but your snow removal practices don’t have to be. Discover how to minimize your snowprint with sustainable snow tools and eco-friendly snow removal tips.
Metal snow shovels
Just thinking about shoveling snow makes my back hurt. In the days before we knew any better, we purchased an inexpensive plastic snow shovel (pictured). Just look at the worn out edge. I hate to think of the plastic particles that were shed as this shovel scraped the pavement.
Instead, get yourself a sturdy metal snow shovel with a steel or aluminum blade, which has a superior ability to clear ice and scrape heavy snow away from surfaces. These shovels are much more durable and built to last, decreasing the need for replacement. But in the event your snow shovel eventually becomes unusable, it can be recycled and won’t leave harmful particles in its wake.
Go with an electric snow blower
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality estimates that operating a typical 4-stroke gas snow blower for one hour emits as much pollution as driving a car 339 miles. For Utah residents, this is a particularly bad combination during our winter inversion (where cold air, along with all the pollution, gets trapped by the mountains under a layer of warm air).
I am a big fan of EGO electric equipment, and the Ego snow blower doesn’t disappoint. We own the 21″ single-stage model, which is the smallest in their line of snowblowers. It is very easy to handle and overall performs very well. Clearing fresh powder is a breeze, but it does struggle a bit when it comes to large amounts of heavy, wet snow, so if that describes your winters, you might consider getting one of the larger, more powerful models.
This battery powered snow blower runs on two batteries, which are interchangeable between any EGO power tool. Depending on the size of the battery and what charger is being used, the batteries can charge in as little as 30 to 75 minutes. Our batteries are mid-sized and last long for what we need. We live on a corner so we have a fair length of sidewalk to manage, and the battery will last long enough to clear it, the two-car driveway, and the walkway to the house.
In addition to snowblowers, EGO also makes electric snow shovels, which could be a great choice for those who want more than a standard snow shovel but don’t want to invest in a snowblower.
Ice melt
Minimizing the use of ice melt and utilizing non-toxic products are very important aspects of eco-friendly snow removal.
As snow melts, water disperses any existing chemicals left behind from decicers into lawns, garden beds, groundwater, and waterways. Because of this, it is important to be judicious in your use of ice melting agents and consider other alternatives.
Rock salt, aka sodium chloride, is the most commonly used ice melting agent. But research shows that this widely-used chemical has significant environmental effects. Higher sodium levels results in increased salinity that is less hospitable to native plants and other freshwater organisms. In watershed area, these chemicals alter the quality of drinking water, becoming problematic for people who require a low-sodium diet.
Even more problematic is accumulating chloride levels in bodies of water has been shown to be lethal for fish, bugs, and amphibians. There is no natural process by which chlorides are broken down, metabolized or taken up by vegetation.
Some rock salts contain cyanide, or ferrocyanide, which is added as an anti-caking agent. Needless to say, this is toxic to the environment and human health.
Additionally, road salt is corrosive and according to the EPA, its use results in $5 billion in annual repairs to vehicles and bridges throughout the country.
Calcium chloride is preferred over rock salt because it does not contain cyanide. However, its high chloride content can still be harmful to plants. While calcium chloride is more expensive than rock salt, it is more efficient, requiring only about one-third of the amount to achieve the same de-icing results.
Environmentally friendly ice melt alternatives
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) is biodegradable and considered the most environmentally friendly commercial deicer available. Compared to sodium chloride, magnesium ice melt is less damaging to soils and vegetation, less corrosive to metals and concrete, less toxic to aquatic organisms, and has limited impact on ground water. The downside is that — surprise — the price of CMA ice melt is about double the price of sodium chloride.
Snow Joe Ice Melt has a great CMA option in their Premium Enviro Blend.
- Available at Home Depot / Amazon
The disadvantage of CMA is that it does not perform as efficiently at temperatures less than 20℉. In extreme cold conditions, Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate is the best option, being the least toxic deicing salt.
Try Ecos Ice Melt, an EPA Safer Choice product from a women-owned company.
- Available at Home Depot / Amazon
Natural ice melt methods
If you can plan ahead based on the weather forecast, eliminate the need for ice melt (or shoveling) by covering small areas such as your front steps with a heavy, waterproof plastic sheet or a tarp to protect them.
Another ice prevention method involves spraying a salt brine solution before storms. When used on roads, this strategy can lead to a 75% reduction in the amount of salt used maintaining an equal level of safety, according to the Cary Institute. You can even make your own brine solution. To be effective, the salinity level must be at 23.3%, which is achieved by mixing 2.5 pounds of salt per gallon of water. Pickle brine also works, although I think you’d have to eat a fair amount of pickles to have enough juice.
In small areas, consider spreading something for traction rather than melting ice. Materials like sand, kitty litter, and bird seed can be used fo this purpose. The downsides to these is the small mess they may leave behind.
Best practices for using deicers
Minimize your use of deicing chemicals as much as possible, but sometimes using a ice melting agent might be the best option for a safe walking path. If this is the case, make sure to always follow the label directions, as you should with any chemical.
Maximize efficiency
- Try to anticipate and spread deicer before snow and ice start to accumulate. This can reduce the amount of chemical needed by 30%.
- Always clear snow from sidewalks and driveways before applying ice melt. Less product will be needed and it will work more quickly.
- Apply salt crystals roughly 3 inches apart. Using more doesn’t increase efficacy, just cost.
- Only apply to areas that people or vehicles will be traveling.
- Don’t mix salt and sand. Salt is for melting and sand is for traction on top of ice, and when combined they work against each other.
Minimize negative impacts
- Have you ever noticed when all the flora emerges with color in the springtime, there are some areas that do not? Particularly on areas that border concrete and asphalt. This might be parts of the lawn along the sidewalk where ice melt was used, or trees and shrubs that are situated in splash zones of snow plows clearing streets where salt was used. Many plants, including turfgrass, do not do well with high salinity. Use care to not apply ice melt too close to plants. There are some plants that do tolerate salt, so considering planting appropriate species in spots subject to high salt exposure.
- Sweep up excess salt to prevent runoff of salts and chemicals into lawns, garden beds, and stormwater. Doing so is also economical as this salt can be reused.
- Do not use fertilizer for deicing. Just like ice melt can contaminate waterways, fertilizer does that same, adding excess nutrients to water, which encourages algae growth.
- Rinse pet’s paws before going inside to protect their paws, and remove shoes to protect floors and the spread of chemicals indoors.
Final thoughts on eco-friendly snow removal
Utilizing quality snow removal tools and minimizing the use of harmful chemicls are really all there is to being green when you’re dealing with the white stuff. If you’re armed with a durable metal snow shovel, a non-polluting electric snowblower, and non-toxic ice melt (along with the knowledge how to appropriately apply it), you’re ready for an environmentally friendly battle with the snow. With the right tools, it might even be…..fun? Ok maybe we won’t go that far. Just try to stay warm while keeping your outdoor spaces safe from snow, ice, and harmful chemicals.
If you want more ideas on how to be green in your landscape, click here.
