Town of Banff

Clearing Ice the Environmental Way

Old-fashioned scraping is easy on the environment.

People have been using salt on icy roads and sidewalks for years.  But we now know that salt is very harmful to the environment.  When the snow and ice melts in the spring, it takes the accumulated salt and other chemicals with it right into the Bow River, contaminating our waterways and the life that depends on them.

Salt also corrodes metal and concrete. Use over time will damage your front steps and your car, not to mention your dog’s paws and your favourite boots.

What can residents do?

• Shovel snow before it becomes compacted.
• Use sand or gravel in the short term to prevent slipping.
• Remove ice with an ice chipper.
• If you must use a traction or de-icing product, choose one that does not contain chloride of any kind.

What does the Town of Banff do?

• Last winter, we started using a new product called EcoTraction on sidewalks.  This product, made from an environmentally safe volcanic mineral, is available locally at Nestor’s and Home Hardware.  
• This year, we invested in a more biodegradable and less corrosive Calcium Magnesium Acetate based ice-melter, as well as a new sanding unit attachment to spread this material.
• We are using a mix of Ecotraction and the new de-icer on the bridge sidewalks, bus stops, crosswalks, handicap parking areas and some sidewalks.