A Salty Situation: An Environmental and Economic Analysis of Ice-Management on Dalhousie University, Halifax Campuses

Abstract

Road Salt is a common ice-management strategy, however it can be extremely damaging to the environment. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University’s only form of de-icing is currently road salt. However, due to its close location and steep elevation into a nearby harbour, Dalhousie is threatening the local wildlife and ecosystems. The following report is based off of a study performed by a sustainability class at Dalhousie University who wanted to consider other ice-management alternatives that would be sustainable both economically and environmentally. Through this study, it was concluded that an alternative called Beet 55, which is a liquid form of beet juice, from sugar beets, is the most economically and environmentally sustainable option. Beet 55 is not only less expensive, in comparison to salt, but it is also non corrosive, non toxic to marine and terrestrial environments and works efficiently in extremely low temperatures. After careful analysis, it is recommended to Dalhousie University to shift away from harmful road salt and become more economically and environmentally sustainable with the ice-management product, Beet 55.