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The Ubiquitous Grit Bins

Salt bins or salt bins are containers that are often used in countries that commonly experience snowfall and freezing temperatures. These hardy and sturdy receptacles hold a mixture of salt and grit that is spread over roadways and sidewalks once snow has covered them and rendered them unsafe.

Two things happen the moment the grit bins apply their mixture they are holding on the ground. First, the salt part of the mixture lowers the melting point of the snow, allowing for lower temperatures to turn the snow and ice into liquid. This mixture allows the sunshine to melt the ice and snow no matter how faint or intense it is thanks to a chemical process which involves sodium chloride to absorb ambient heat from the sun. The second action is physical change, where the grit provides traction because of the wet and icy result of the chemical change. Grit, which is usually made of sand, pebbles, and woodchips provide the traction for the non-slipping of the tires and people walking on the sidewalk.

This is an easier and much better alternative than shoveling snow off the pathways or using bulldozers and snow trucks to clear the road. Besides from being expensive, snow trucks also require high maintenance as well. On the other hand, Grit Bins are easy to manage and are affordable as well. When driving on snow covered roads, there is a high risk of the wheels spinning out of control which then leads to accidents. Passersby may also slip and get injured whenever they cross on snow covered sidewalks.

Grit bins, on the other hand, are only mere containers that store the grit mixture. As for the salt-grit mixture, it is the responsibility of the local council to supply it during their delivery runs. The act of spreading the mixture on the roadways and sidewalks is another issue. The grit spreading service, for example, can be provided by the local council itself or they can also ask some of the people in the neighborhood to do their own share. The latter option means that communities should arrange shift assignments when it comes to shoveling and spreading the grit mixture in their neighborhood.

Concrete and stone were the first materials used for grit bins but they proved ineffective because they became easily brittle and lost their effectivity in a short period of time. Because of this problem, it was decided that polyurethane plastic should be used as the material instead. Much like their predecessors, these containers are still not prone to destruction and damage but not because of the weather but the people who vandalize them. Other issues regarding the maintenance of grit bins include leaving the lid open, as this allows moisture and rainwater to melt the salt leaving the mixture unusable and tipping the bin over and spilling the contents, causing the mixture carelessly spread out on the roadway.

Truly, Grit Bin perform a huge part to a community that is subjected to weather extremes. They are containers that store the salt-grit mixture which keep our roads and sidewalks safe.