Biodegradable and Treated Wood Chips as a Winter Alternative for De-Icing Road Salts

The innovation is biodegradable chemically treated wood chips to serve as an alternative for de-icing salts by binding 50% calcium chloride crystals to wood chips and coating the other 50% with nitrogen rich plant soil. Wood chips cover more ground area then conventional salts, last at tested temperatures of -31 degrees Celsius, and offer added grip when lodged into ice.  With this innovation, residents near endangered freshwater ecosystems won’t have to rely on toxic salts to keep their driveways, roads, and sidewalks safe.