Grit and salt bins

Grit and salt bins are essential equipment for the winter maintenance of roads, pavements and car parks – durable containers for anti-skid material, weather-resistant all year round. The category also includes road salt and grit, as well as magnesium chloride and calcium chloride used as alternative de-icing agents.

This type of equipment is used primarily by road authorities, housing associations and companies responsible for snow clearance – we match the bin capacity to the size of the area served and the expected material consumption during the winter season.

Both these bins and other winter accessories can be found in the waste and recycling section.

When choosing a grit and salt bin, it is worth distinguishing between two typical applications: storing a full season's supply of material in one larger container positioned at the equipment depot, and placing smaller, local bins directly at critical stretches of pavement and junctions, from which maintenance crews can quickly collect material in the event of sudden icing.

The material of construction directly affects the durability of the bin in contact with salt, which is particularly aggressive towards unprotected metal surfaces. UV-resistant polyethylene bins do not corrode and withstand many years of contact with road salt well, whereas steel versions require a robust anti-corrosion coating if they are to be used for storing salt rather than grit alone.

A tight-fitting lid is another important parameter, particularly when storing salt – moisture from rain and snow causes the material to cake, making it harder to collect and spread during winter maintenance operations. Models with a closable, well-fitted lid and seal reduce this problem far more effectively than simple boxes without a closing system.

Road authorities and housing associations planning an order for the whole season should take into account not only the size of the area served, but also the location of collection points in relation to snow clearance routes – a bin positioned too far from a critical stretch is in practice often used less than a smaller but well-distributed set of several points.

It is also worth bearing in mind alternatives to traditional road salt, such as magnesium chloride or calcium chloride – they work effectively at lower temperatures and are less aggressive towards roadside greenery and concrete surfaces, which can be an important consideration for local authorities concerned about the condition of trees and shrubs along roads covered by winter maintenance.