Whether we are an individual, organisation, charity, business, or a government body, we all have a legal responsibility, if we rent, lease, own or occupy a property and have either staff, visitors or deliveries over the winter.

In the UK, our weather patterns are not very consistent and over the past few years, weather patterns have changed. We cannot predict what areas of the country will get hit with bad weather (sub zero temperatures). Sometimes we can suffer bad weather as a nation but generally it affects different areas at different times without much warning. This is why it's imperative to be up to date with what our responsibilities are, what our actions result in and what are our options.

Most companies and organisations use an outside contractor for deicing which tend to use either standard rock salt or untreated salt. These contractors do the bulk of the area needed, not all do 100% as they generally drive into sites with a vehicle, drive around in a certain pattern and then leave without getting out of their vehicles. Very often paths and walkways close to the buildings are missed, especially entranceways to buildings. Most places will have a caretaker or maintenance person who checks in cold weather, to make sure the areas are safe for staff and visitors to access the building.

This caretaker / maintenance person has an important role to play for a number of reasons:

1).  Even if the site has been gritted in the evening if any areas had been missed or snow had been falling, then there would become dangerous icy patches and as many people walk whilst looking at their phones, slips can happen.

If the person slipping injures themselves and they are a key member of staff, this can become a costly and disruptive situation. The caretaker on a walk around could notice the patches and deice them (if in possession of eco grit.)

2). If the temperature keeps dropping (ground temperature is approximately 2°C lower than air temperature) and the ground becomes colder than -6°C, then the ground freezes although it has been gritted. The maintenance person would be able to rectify this (if in possession of EcoGrit).

3). If temperatures stay sub zero throughout the day and there is light snow, then rock salt becomes saturated (can’t absorb any more moisture, rendering it useless) and it needs to be reapplied. In high traffic areas, multiple applications can be needed which becomes costly as it is labour intensive and so much product is needed.

What is the real cost of deicing? And the difference between the widely used rock salt and EcoGrit.

It is difficult to put an exact monetary figure on the cost of deicing over winter because there are so many factors. Here are some to consider.

The initial cost of standard deicing salts or rock salt is relatively low. They do the job in light frost with a single application, but this can soon multiply when the temperature drops or it starts to snow, as rock salt has a low moisture absorption threshold.

EcoGrit on the other hand has a higher initial price because of the processes it goes through. It has a really high moisture absorption threshold meaning if there is a prolonged spell of really cold weather, EcoGrit doesn’t need to be reapplied so often and a lot less of the product is needed. This is because EcoGrit doesn’t refreeze. This is down to the fact that EcoGrit can remove ice even down to temperatures of -20°C and below. This then inadvertently reduces the labour time needed, reducing costs.

Rock salt and untreated deicing salts are unfortunately very corrosive. This does damage to the areas it is directly put, whether that’s on tarmac, concrete or metal. It can also be walked inside buildings on footwear causing clean up costs. If rock salt is walked onto carpets, it can slowly burn holes into the material. It eats away at tarmac (asphalt) and that is part of the reason why so many roads and car parks have potholes.

Potholes and defects are not only bad for the car, but they also present terrible trip hazards. It’s not just the cost of fixing potholes and defects but it’s also the costs which arise from damage to vehicles and injured people putting in claims for damages.

EcoGrit is 80% less corrosive than rock salt and because less of the product is used for the same and better effect, the damage is minimal. EcoGrit is also granular rather than grit meaning it breaks down and dissolves and is not walked indoors on people’s footwear. Therefore, less time and money wasted on cleaning and repairs.

To us here at EcoGrit, the biggest downside (that isn’t talked about) with the use of rock salt on the scale it is used, is the heavy metals and toxins gift contained. Because rock salt is mined directly from salt caverns under the ground (yes, we have lots of these) and not cleaned or processed (that’s why its cheap). It poses a problem not just for the local environment but also to our health as the heavy metals and toxins end up in the water table. When nature was locking these nasties away millions of years ago, people weren’t here growing food like we are today. Just because we have designed machinery to access this rock salt it doesn’t mean to say we have to use it. As weather patterns worsen in the winter, the solution can not be to just put more rock salt down.

EcoGrit prides itself for treating only different grades of clean marine salt mixed with a combination of other natural materials. Products that come out of the brewery, animal feeds and cereals industry are also used in the creation of EcoGrit.

EcoGrit has no handling restrictions. It can be stored indefinitely in dry conditions without deterioration too the quality of the product. It is safe to use around plants and animals.

EcoGrit Concentrate is the only product we produce but it is available in various shapes and sizes. We have 1.2kg shakers, refill pouches, 5kg buckets and boxes. 20 kg buckets or bags. We sell items singularly or in bulk. We can supply in a covered mini bulk. bag or by the tonne.

All of our products are shipped directly, on an express service with tracking.