Friends of the Chicago River Asks Residents To Use Environmentally-Friendly Road Salt Alternatives

Cover Image

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A local environmental group would like you to re-think your use of road salt as you clear your sidewalks and driveways of snow and ice.

Friends of the Chicago River said road salt has a negative impact on waterways like the Chicago River and the group would like you to use less of it.

For one, Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River,  said road salt does not even work when the temperature is colder than 15 degrees.

She also said it eventually makes its way into waterways after washing into the sewer system and through treatment plants. That impacts aquatic life, including fish and amphibians. She said it can "actually prevent successful spawning." 

Frisbie said "there are environmentally friendly products that can melt snow that are less harmful to the environment like calcium chloride and calcium magnesium."

Frisbie suggests that, when temperatures start to warm up later in the week, you use less salt. Experts advise using a coffee cup full for 20 feet of driveway or 70 feet of sidewalk. Another alternative is to make a brine with salt and water.