Winter maintenance is essential for safety, but the environmental impact of traditional gritting and de-icing means it’s time to rethink how your customers keep car parks and pathways clear

When you think about sustainability and energy-saving measures, the workplace car park is unlikely to be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet throughout the winter months, icy conditions mean that car parks, pathways and building entrances demand extra maintenance. While this is essential for keeping staff, visitors and customers safe, the products commonly used in tasks like gritting and de-icing can carry hidden environmental consequences.

Traditional rock salt (sodium chloride) is the most widely used de-icing product. It’s cheap and effective, but it doesn’t just melt ice – it also washes into soil and waterways once the ice thaws. On land, salt can alter soil chemistry, making it harder for plants to absorb nutrients, and can burn the roots and leaves of roadside vegetation. Other de-icing chemicals can be less harmful but still pose risks to soil and water health when used in large quantities. Further to this, salt is corrosive, and frequent use on car parks and walkways can accelerate the deterioration of concrete, tarmac, and metal structures – including vehicles.

For workplaces aiming to improve sustainability, car park and pathway maintenance is an often-overlooked area where greener alternatives can make a difference. Here’s a few simple switches that dealers can encourage customers to make to ensure that their paths and carparks are safe and sustainable this winter:

Chemical de-icers for biodegradable or acetate-based de-icers:

These break down more easily in the environment and have less impact on vegetation and water quality. Some workplaces are also moving towards sand or grit-only treatments in high-traffic areas, which provide traction without introducing harmful chemicals.

Heaters and blowers around entrances for low energy eco-friendly snow and ice mats: Instead of heating an entire driveway or car park, low-energy mats focus only on high-risk areas such as entrances, footpaths, steps, and wheelchair ramps. Some come with thermostats or moisture sensors, so they only switch on when temperatures drop or moisture is detected, avoiding wasted energy.

Grit spreaders and rock salt bins for liquid brine sprayers:

Unlike traditional rock salt scattering, these systems spray a fine, controlled mist of salt brine directly onto surfaces. This targeted approach can reduce salt usage by as much as 75% while also preventing ice from bonding to the ground, making it both more efficient and environmentally friendly.

There are many additional products on the market that dealers could explore to create a well-rounded workplace building maintenance package tailored specifically for the winter months. While some of these solutions may sit outside the traditional product range dealers usually supply, they represent a valuable opportunity to address two pressing customer priorities: safety and sustainability.

What’s more, winter brings with it recurring challenges year after year. This creates a natural opportunity for repeat business as customers return to replenish supplies or upgrade their solutions ahead of each season. By helping workplaces plan ahead with a curated mix of safety, maintenance and eco-conscious products, dealers can also build loyalty, open up new revenue streams and establish themselves as trusted partners who anticipate customer needs rather than simply react to them.