As the weather gets cooler and winter creeps closer, it’s time to think about ice and snow management for your building.

In the past, many building managers have relied on the heavy use of products like rock salt, but studies are emerging that expose the negative environmental impact of over-using some of these traditional methods and products.

Following a two-year study at Harvard, a set of policies and practices were put into place for sustainable winter management (known as SWiM) to help building operators better manage snow and ice, mitigate risk, save money, and reduce environmental impact.

This method includes six sections where managers can adjust their practices for better sustainability:

Measure

Measure square footage, salt output (if using a machine), as well as the average time required for plowing to get an idea of the amount of salt you’ll need.

Calibrate

Your equipment needs to be calibrated to confirm and optimize flow rates. This should be completed pre-season, mid-season, and after any repairs to the equipment.

Prevent

Applying small amounts of salt before a storm may deter the build-up of snow and ice, limiting the need to overuse salt once the ground is covered.

Analyze

Inconsistencies in performance can lead to overuse which costs you money and could cause environmental damage. Look at the specific needs of each area like walkways, parking lot, road, and equipment to maximize efficiency and lower cost.

Improve

Use the beginning of the season to test out using smaller amounts of salt until you reach the threshold necessary for effective removal with the lowest volume.

Optimize

If you’re looking to upgrade your equipment, consider plow technology that makes it easier to get down to the bare pavement without using salt. This will increase performance, save time, lessen the cost of your salt, and minimize your environmental impact.

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Without proper ice and snow management, you risk increased slip and fall incidents, restricted access to your property, interruption to your business, and more.

By using the SWiM method to manage ice and snow, you can limit your salt use to become more sustainable and save money during the winter months.