Grit and salt bins

Grit and salt bins are durable, weather-resistant boxes for storing anti-skid material ready for the winter season – their construction protects the contents from moisture and freezing, providing quick access during snow clearance.

Together with ready-to-use anti-skid materials, this model forms the complete grit and salt bins category.

The choice of capacity depends on the size of the area served – from small properties to large car parks and thoroughfares.

The bins are best positioned in locations easily accessible to snow clearance crews – at entrances, along main pedestrian routes and at junctions – so that the anti-skid material can be used as soon as icing occurs, rather than only after a trip to the depot.

The most common material used to manufacture these bins is high-density polyethylene, which is resistant to low temperatures and to contact with salt, which in a metal version could accelerate corrosion of the structure. Galvanised steel versions remain available where increased mechanical strength is a priority, for example in locations exposed to vandalism or frequent contact with service vehicles.

The bright colours, usually orange or yellow, are no accident – a container for anti-skid material should be easy to spot for both pedestrians and snowplough drivers, making it quick to locate in the poor visibility typical of heavy snowfall or fog.

The choice of capacity depends on the size of the area served and the expected frequency of restocking – smaller boxes are usually sufficient for small properties or estate pavements, whereas large car parks, manoeuvring yards and longer stretches of internal roads require bins of considerably greater volume, distributed across several points rather than one central store.

Structural stability matters in practice – the bin should not shift or tip over in the wind or if accidentally knocked, especially when partly empty after most of the supply has been used. Models with a wider base and the option of additional anchoring to the ground perform better in locations highly exposed to wind, such as open car parks or hilltops.

Outside the winter season, bins of this type are often used to store other loose materials related to grounds maintenance, such as building sand or fine aggregate, making them a versatile item of utility equipment all year round rather than purely seasonal equipment standing idle from spring to autumn.