Eco-IceGrip is available at  the REAL Deal Store.  When applied to packed snow and ice, it is an effective environmentally friendly alternative to salt.   And it is locally made!  Staff have used it at the store with great results.

The material is sold by the bag and looks somewhat like brown woodchips. They are very light and can be spread by hand or spreader.  It provides good traction for pedestrians and is also safe for pet paws.

Their promotional materials say:  “Eco-IceGrip’s traction chips are abundant and renewable.  Low in salt, they are pH neutral, noncorrosive to metal and concrete, carpets, flooring , footwear or clothing”.  And unlike salt, it will not contaminate surface or groundwater.  

There has been increasing concern about the effects of road salt on the environment.  As salt dissolves, the chloride enters waterways through leaching and runoff.  Eventually the concentrations become toxic to  aquatic plant and animal life, and affect drinking water quality.  Many jurisdictions are searching for inexpensive, effective alternatives to salt.  You can help by using alternatives to salt on your own property. 

EcoIce  is cheaper than road salt, sand or gravel because there is less need for multiple applications.  One application can be effective for up to six days at temperatures down to -37°C. At winter’s end, the chips can be left to biodegrade, or gathered and used for compost, or mulch, or burned in furnaces. 

We have a supply of older stock of EcoIce, we are selling for $7 a small 10 L bag or $17 for the larger 40 L bag, plus tax.  Note that it is packaged in different qualities than the current version of the product.