How Brine Lowers Environmental Impact Of Snow Removal

You might be wondering, “Does salt brine affect the environment, and if so, how?”
Salt brine is a great option if you are looking for a more environmentally friendly choice of snow removal. The environmental impact of brine is significantly less than regular rock salt, and there is an increasing shift in professionals using brine instead of rock salt. Let’s unpack what makes salt brine different from rock salt and how brine benefits the environment.

Benefits Of Using Salt Brine

So, what is the difference between salt brine and rock salt, and do they act any differently on pavement? The difference between brine and rock salt is that salt brine is a liquid solution of salt and water, while rock salt is dry, granular sodium chloride crystals. Generally brine melts snow faster, but rock salt is more widely available and better for large snowstorms. Salt brine also is a more environmentally sustainable option of snow removal. Here’s why:

Why Brine Is Better For The Environment

Brine has many benefits and is considered the environmentally preferable method of spreading salt. Salt brine is a liquid made up of diluted salt, so it is less strong than regular rock salt. So, when salt brine is spread, it causes less pollution than raw salt.

Salt Brine Application vs Rock Salt Application

Brine is a better option of snow removal because it can be aimed directly at the pavement without getting blown or scattered off the street. With the right materials, one can spray salt brine directly on their driveway or roads, whereas rock salt can easily be scattered onto existing vegetation and grass by accident. Rock salt often bounces off the road it is spread on, causing harm to nearby landscaping.

Brine Is Enhanced With Organic Ingredients

Salt brine is often mixed with other natural ingredients, like pickle juice or beet juice, which are biodegradable. This helps prevent snow from sticking to streets and further reduces the amount of harsh chlorides.

Salt Brine Has Less Contaminants

Rock salt often is mixed with sand or gravel for traction, but they generate heavy dust that can risk clogging storm drains and waterways. This is an environmental risk, as clogged storm drains can cause localized flooding, road damage, and environmental pollution. Brine treatments eliminate the need for gravel or sand mixed with salt, making it a more environmentally beneficial option.

Is Brine Better For The Environment Than Rock Salt?

In short, salt brine is much better for the environment than rock salt because it is diluted with water and organic additives that are biodegradable, causing less harm to the environment.
It uses up to 75% less salt, reducing runoff into local waterways and mitigating water pollution.
Brine is the better option if you are looking to preserve the environment in your area.

Salt brine has other benefits besides being environmentally friendly.

Salt Brine Melts Snow More Effectively Than Rock Salt

So, now that you know how brine is the more sustainable option of snow removal, you may be wondering, “Does brine act any differently on pavement than regular rock salt?” In fact, brine actually melts snow faster and more efficiently than rock salt.

Brine salt is already in liquid form, which makes it work faster than hardened salt. Rock salt has to take time to dissolve before it gets the job done, whereas salt brine can work immediately to melt the snow as it lands.

Additionally, brine can be sprayed before a storm, acting as a non-stick coating to prevent snow from sticking. This pre-barrier is a significant advantage to snow removal, as it makes shoveling or plowing snow much easier. This preventative snow removal strategy is highly effective.

Brine Solution Benefits For Professional Use

There are many great benefits of using brine in your commercial snow removal company.

Offering Brine Solution Means Customers Can Choose Eco-friendly Themselves

A benefit of offering brine services is that you can offer your customers more options for snow removal. By providing salt brine solution services, you are giving your customers the ability to choose a more eco-friendly alternative. This is a great benefit for both you and your customer, as you can advertise yourself as having a more environmentally friendly option.

Salt Brine Services Are A More Cost-effective Option

Another great benefit of salt brine is that it is more financially cost-effective. This is a significant plus side of brine! Offering a cheaper option to customers is a sure way to keep existing customers happy and attract new ones. By offering salt brine services to your clients, you are providing them with more affordable options to choose from.

Learn More About Our Brine Services

So, now that you know the many benefits of salt brine, you may be considering if it is the right snow removal choice for you. At Winterstone, we offer two kinds of salt brine: standard brine solution and brine solution with organic additives.

If you are looking to use brine solution but don’t know how to get started, look no further! At Winterstone, we provide high-quality salt brine for local professionals by the gallon. Contact us today and we will supply you with the right solution for you!