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The Universal Salt bins

Grit Bins or salt bins are containers that are often used in countries that commonly experience snowfall and freezing temperatures. These containers hold salt and grit mixture and are applied on unsafe and snow covered sidewalks and roadways.

There are two things that happen once the mixture from the grit bins are spread on a snow covered 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 is made possible thanks to a chemical process which involves sodium chloride absorbing ambient heat and therefore allowing the sun to melt the ice. Once the ice has melted, the second process will provide traction to the surface through the grit in the mixture. 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 system is the better alternative as compared to shoveling the snow or having snow trucks with salt spreaders and bulldozers that clear paths on the road. Snow trucks are expensive to purchase and maintain. In contrast, Grit Bin are easy on the budget and low maintenance as well. Driving can be very risky on snow covered roads as it often leads to the wheels spinning out of control and leading to accidents. Passersby may also slip and get injured whenever they cross on snow covered sidewalks.

Grit bins, however, are only the containers which hold the salt and grit mixture. The salt-grit mixture is supplied by the local councils during their delivery runs. The next issue would be spreading the mixture on the roadways and the sidewalks. It actually depends on the local councils if they will also be the one providing the grit spreading service of if they will ask some of the local townsfolk to help. This would mean that communities would need to provide shift assignments as to the shoveling and spreading of the salt-grit mixture in their communities.

The first grit bin designs were brittle and easily lost their effectivity because they are made of stone and concrete. As a measure, these receptacles were then built out of polyurethane plastic. 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. This container also face maintenance issues such as leaving their lids opens and letting moisture and rainfall render the mixture useless and tipping it over and leaving the mixture carelessly spilled on the surroundings.

These information prove that Grit Bins perform a huge part to a community that is subjected to weather extremes. Our sidewalks and roads are made less dangerous with their help since they are the ones that store the salt-grit mixture.