Why Do Schools Close When It Snows and Others Stay Open?

I would like to introduce my company, EcoGrit, and the product we have to offer, EcoGrit Concentrate. We are able to keep schools and businesses open safely throughout the winter months without doing damage to the grounds or building, a risk to the children (rock salt) or bringing mess inside the school.

Weather patterns are changing and we need to change our practices along with them. We as a country have made some bold commitments in reducing CO2 output and what that means is that our winters are going to get colder (worse). Conventional gritting methods and products only work to -6C whereas at this point deicing and rock salt freeze along with the ground making it dangerous.

Our product EcoGrit Concentrate works safely to -20C and is non-corrosive, unlike rock salts which destroy everything they come into contact with (potholes in roads & car parks, the environment, wildlife, plants etc). EcoGrit Concentrate has no restrictions (COSHH), in handling and storing. It can be used in the most delicate of environments and is even non-harmful if ingested, although we don’t recommend eating it.

EcoGrit Concentrate has been specifically designed for the coming weather changes and to tick all the right boxes.

  • Biodegradable and environmentally friendly even in large amounts.
  • Plant and garden-friendly, so it won’t damage your playing fields
  • Non-corrosive, it won’t damage your car park, walkways or playgrounds and can be used around pets
  • Natural rust inhibitor so no metalwork is damaged over the winter in fact metal that comes in contact with EGC is actually protected from the elements.
  • Works to -20C meaning that it can’t re-freeze so it doesn’t need putting down daily saving you time, effort and money.
  • It is a concentrate so less product is needed compared to deicing & rock salts.
  • It is granular, it breaks down so fine that mess can’t be walked into buildings saving cleaners a lot of time and effort.
  • Great Rock salt alternative
  • It is soluble so it can be mixed with water to create a spray that can be used anywhere that you don’t want freezing up.

We supply it in either a 5 kg bucket, with each containing a scoop for application (coverage 350m2) and these can be bought in any amount (up to 100 on a pallet) delivered, or we supply loose in a 1-tonne bag that closes. We recommend this so that then the teachers would be able to keep some in their vehicles in a container to be used at home, just to make sure their car doesn’t get iced in, and they can make it into work.

Whatever product isn’t used one winter, will safely store in the dry from year to year. We also allow schools to purchase at the end of winter (March) to help balance their budgets. We can hold the stock for them until they are ready to receive it the following winter.

The product can be purchased directly from our website, just set up an account for your school. You can also connect with me via LinkedIn with any questions and we have the usual media channels of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Times are changing and we need to adapt. EcoGrit Concentrate will help people to do that without too many problems. For any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our safety data sheet is available on our website. https://supreme-flea.10web.me/

We look forward to helping you keep your school open and your pupils & staff safe.

Check out the range of Ice melt products Ecogrit has on offer:

What Will Our Future Look Like?

UK becomes the first major economy to pass net-zero emissions law

The aim: to help stop Global Warming.

The problem: our country becomes colder in the winter.

 We can barely cope now when the ice and snow arrive even in short spells. We have never created a proper product to help in these situations as they didn’t arise so often. We had been more than happy to use rock salt as it works down to -6C, is easily available and cheap. We have always overlooked the fact that this product is not only damaging to our environment and super corrosive to anything it contacts because we didn’t use it that often in the past. 

Times are changing and we need to change with them. 

At present

Areas, where rock salt is used most, is quite evident. Potholes are in abundance and the whole road surface is starting to fall apart. The government recognises and accepts an overall deterioration of 3% annually to our roads. At this rate, we don’t have the manpower to fix the entire network of existing potholes in a 12 month period. We have the technology now which the government passed in 2019, thermal road repairing. Even if we fixed all the potholes permanently (trying to fix all the potholes in a 12 month period would cause massive delays to commuters and traffic), we would still have a problem with the deterioration of the road surface. 

Round the corner

As we push to reduce our CO2 emissions, the winters will get harsher. If we continue to throw more rock salt at the problem then we WILL accelerate the deterioration of our roads and infrastructure. With ever-increasing vehicles, our road network will struggle to cope and roads would crumble more quickly. 

 An option on the market at the moment is urea. Many products claiming to be pet-friendly and environment-friendly are just 100% urea. This product hasn’t been designed for this purpose and if used on a large scale will cause us an environmental nightmare (toxic algae blooms).

 EcoGrit Concentrate can be our saving grace if we get behind it. It has been designed to tackle all of the issues, tick the right boxes and has the ability to be used by the whole country without causing us any environmental problems. Imagine it, roads without constant potholes.

At our homes

In many areas around the country, people are being forced to use deicing and rock salt to keep their driveways and paths clear. This isn’t an ideal solution because of the risk it poses to pets, garden and home. We don’t want to destroy our own property just so we can access it but that is what’s happening. As the temperature changes, it is going to become a problem for more and more people. The more we have to use rock salt then the quicker we deteriorate our homes. People in hilly areas or homes that have driveways on a slope, need to keep these areas ice-free to allow access in and out of the property as well as to prevent vehicles from sliding when they are parked.

 As temperatures drop this is going to be a growing problem as we go forward, as many people have vehicles under contracts where they swap vehicles every couple of years. When you swap you often have to pay for any damage to the vehicle, which can be costly. If your vehicle slides overnight and causes damage to itself or others then it is you footing the bill.

Why I Started This Business?

From working in the road repairs industry it soon became apparent to me that the rock salt that is put down on our roads does an unbelievable amount of damage.

This damage isn’t just to the roads, rock salt corrodes and rusts any metalwork it is in contact with, as well as any vehicles which use them. It puts high levels of salt back into the watercourse and does damage to most living things including plants and animals.

Continue reading “Why I Started This Business?”

Rock Salt Damage to Plants

We are a business that’s known for providing eco-friendly de-icer products that is much gentler than rock salt. Our goods are capable of melting snow and ice in farmyards, driveways, and car parks. They work wonders on steps and paths as well. In addition to being more economical than salt, they prevent re-freezing and work for longer.

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Does Rock Salt Damage Concrete?

De-icing products are vital in many settings, such as pavements and driveways, so that people don’t slip. We know a fair bit about rock salt, a common choice which can have negative effects on concrete surfaces. It is important to understand this so that you know the best way to prevent ice without causing damage in the process. You should also look into less harmful alternatives to rock salt.

Continue reading “Does Rock Salt Damage Concrete?”

Is Rock Salt Safe for Pets?

Many people use rock salt to melt snow and ice around their property, including on drives, paths, and steps. While it can make surfaces safer, there are issues with using it. One of the most important is the risk of Rock Salt For Pets is it injuring pets. Because of this, there is a lot of demand for pet-friendly alternatives to rock salt.

What harm does rock salt cause?

Dogs and cats can both be harmed by excessive salt. The big problem for your dog is it will get on their paws and fur when they walk over a surface it has been used on. When the temperature rises the residue can cause burns and even ulcers. This can then lead to infection. Intestinal problems can also occur if dogs lick lots of salt off their paws and fur.

The chemicals in rock salt can be very toxic to cats. If they lick excessive amounts of it they may suffer from gastrointestinal distress. This can have some very unpleasant symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea. In the worst cases, high salt intake can result in seizures and even death.

Rock salt poisoning in pets 

Rock salt poisoning in pets can be extremely serious and can lead to permanent damage or death. Symptoms of salt poisoning in cats and dogs include extreme thirst, frequent urinating, fever, fast heartbeat, convulsions, sickness and breathing problems. They can also present with a swollen tongue, confusion, an unsteady gait and lethargy. Symptoms will worsen as the dog’s condition grows more acute. Too much salt in the blood is known as hypernatremia and requires immediate emergency medical help. 

Is rock salt safe for dogs? 

Rock salt is highly dangerous to dogs, especially in high doses. Ingesting it can lead to salt poisoning, which can prove fatal if left untreated for too long. Rock salt used as a deicer in winter months can be particularly harmful to dogs as they walk on treated surfaces and the salt stays on their paws for a long time afterwards. It must be washed off paws and fur thoroughly after a winter walk. To prevent rock salt from attaching to dogs like this, use a salt-free deicer like EcoGrit to melt frozen surfaces in winter. 

rock salt for pets: SALT ON DOGS PAWS, ROCK SALT POISONING IN PETS

Salt for Dogs

Salt can be extremely dangerous for dogs, whether taken orally or absorbed through contact with seawater or paws walking on frozen surfaces that have been treated with rock salt. Choose low-salt food options that contain no more than 1.5g of salt per 100g. To keep dogs safe in the winter, do not use rock salt or sodium chloride-based ice melt products to clear ice and snow from frozen surfaces. Use naturally derived products instead, such as EcoGrit. Always wash your dog’s paws thoroughly after a winter walk or swimming in the sea. 

Why it’s dangerous to have salt on a dog’s paws?

When dogs are taken outside in icy conditions, their paws come into contact with frozen surfaces that may or may not have been treated with rock salt. This is highly harmful to dogs paws, as it is corrosive and can damage the surface of the skin. The rock salt can also get into any cuts on the paw and enter the bloodstream. This can lead to problems with the kidneys and the dog’s immune system. Stay away from treated surfaces as much as possible and wash your dog’s paws thoroughly at the end of each walk or time spent outside.

Is rock salt poisonous to cats? 

Rock salt can be very harmful to cats in the winter months if it is used to deice frozen roads and walkways. Cats often wander a fair distance away from home and can also drink from puddles along the way. Rock salt that remains in the melted ice can get onto cats’ paws or be swallowed from a puddle, causing salt poisoning in high enough doses. This can prove fatal and requires immediate veterinary attention. To protect wandering carts in the winter, switch to a pet-safe deicer such as EcoGrit to clear paths and, roads and driveways. 

A better alternative

The UK is one of the most pet-friendly countries in the world. As a result, it is not surprising that people want to use de-icers that are safe for their pets. Avoiding rock salt is a wise move.

If you want to order one of the most reliable eco-friendly, pet-friendly alternatives to rock salt, browse our website. You can find different sizes of bottles and buckets to suit any needs. Ordering is very easy if you want to buy. Finally, you can contact us if you have any questions.

EcoGrit Concentrates range of pet-friendly and eco-friendly Ice melt products:

UK Weather: Schools Closed Across Wales and England

Hundreds of schools across Wales and southern parts of England are closed due to snow and icy conditions.

Continue reading “UK Weather: Schools Closed Across Wales and England”