EnviroTech Journal

As a snow contractor, it is vital to ensure the safety of the community. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, slips, trips, and falls cause an estimated 700 fatalities per year, as well as many serious injuries. To avoid the dangers of slips, trips and falls, it is crucial to have an effective plan for snow removal.

The BioPreferred Program, managed by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA), was formed to increase the purchase and use of biobased products.

The creation of the BioPreferred Program was a part of expanding the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 with the purpose of increasing economic development and environment preservation. “The increased development, purchase, and use of biobased products reduces our nation's reliance on petroleum, increases the use of renewable agricultural resources, and contributes to reducing adverse environmental and health impacts” (USDA).

Granular deicer, Ice Slicer®, has increased power to break the bond of snow and ice from various surfaces compared to traditional deicing solutions. Ice Slicer is a homogenous (non-blended) solution primarily composed of four complex chlorides and  50+ trace minerals. Although the initial price of Ice Slicer might be higher than traditional solutions, the superior performance decreases overall costs because of lower application rates and reduced manpower. Additionally, the natural corrosion-inhibitors crystallized within each granule prevents excess damage to machinery, which decreases the overall cost of ownership.

Don't just take our word for it. Let's look at study results comparing Ice Slicer's performance to white salt, solar salt, and sand.

Brine additive, AMP®, got its name for a reason; because it AMP-lifies the performance of anti-icing and deicing programs when combined with salt brine. AMP is a clear, odorless liquid that effectively treats roads before and after storms by reducing snow and ice buildup. Salt brine used alone to pretreat roads often dries out and does not stick to roads, which can be a waste of product and money. AMP combined with salt brine allows the product to bond to the roads, even in the most severe conditions.

Clear Roads Snow and Ice Control Chemical Product Program is a national research consortium focused on winter maintenance materials, equipment and methods for use by highway maintenance crews. Clear Roads partnered with the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters (PNS) to coordinate material testing and standards for deicing chemical materials. PNS is a collective of Pacific Northwest state transportation agencies sharing knowledge about best practices, materials, innovations, and more in winter maintenance.

One of the biggest enemies to farm machinery and infrastructure is corrosion damage. It is clear when corrosion is present because discoloration and deformation appears on metal surfaces. If left unattended, corrosion spreads and affects nearby surfaces.

Snowplows are a vital service to ensure the safety of our community. Many drivers have adopted to snowy road conditions, yet they remain uncertain when they encounter a snowplow. Snowplows are generally equipped with a large, heavy plow on the front, which allows them to clear ice and snow from the roads.