City of Calgary Free Sand and Salt Mix
For the past several years I have been using the City of Calgary's free sand and salt box service for my home. Based on how many people I see out there using the purchased products, I'm guessing this is not common knowledge - so I'm sharing.
City of Calgary Provides Free Road Gravel/Sand and Salt Mix
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As you can see in my awesome picture, I use an old salt bucket from when I did not know about the service. This amount tends to last the winter season - every fall, I go and re-fill it.
What I really like about this service aside from the fact that I don't have to spend $20 to $40 on salt, is that it is a mix of pea gravel, sand and salt. So, the ice simply does not melt and eventually re-freeze which then requires additional applications. With the pea gravel and sand mixed in, it maintains a level of non-slip surface for much longer than the traditional salt you would buy from a store.
So not only does this save you money, utilizing this service is also much better for the environment. Less salt being applied as well as less plastic bins being sold full of salt that just get tossed or recycled.
You will see in the spring - your sidewalk and driveway has left over gravel. I simply sweep this onto the road when the city puts up the signs in my neighbourhood announcing street sweeping.
Just another tip from me to you...
Yard and House Tips for Home Owners
