User:CrossmanAyers278

The Ever-present Grit Bin

Grit Bin or salt bins are containers that are often used in countries that commonly experience snowfall and freezing temperatures. These hardy and sturdy receptacles hold a mixture of salt and grit that is spread over roadways and sidewalks once snow has covered them and rendered them unsafe.

Two things happen when the grit bins spread the mixture on the snow covered pavement. The salt portion of the mixture will lower the melting point of the snow by providing a low temperature that can turn ice into liquid. This mixture allows the sunshine to melt the ice and snow no matter how faint or intense it is thanks to a chemical process which involves sodium chloride to absorb ambient heat from the sun. The second action is physical change, where the grit provides traction because of the wet and icy result of the chemical change. Tires and under soles will be provided the traction that they need as they travel over the road by this grit mixture which is made of pebbles, sand, and woodchips.

The use of grit bins are a better alternative than the common practice of shoveling snow or having snow trucks with salt spread clear the road from snow. Snow trucks are not only expensive but high maintenance as well. In contrast, Salt bins are easy to manage and are affordable as well. Accidents are very common when driving on snow covered roads with the wheels usually spinning out of control. Snow covered sidewalks, on the other hand, presents risks on passersby who have a huge possibility of slipping and suffering from injuries because of it.

Grit bins, on the other hand, are only mere containers that store the grit mixture. The salt-grit mixture is supplied by the local councils during their delivery runs. Another problem is the issue of the actual spreading of mixture in a certain neighborhood. The local council can do the grit spreading service on their own or they can also request the local townsfolk to help. The latter option means that communities should arrange shift assignments when it comes to shoveling and spreading the grit mixture in their neighborhood.

The first grit bin designs were made of stone and concrete but these types of containers became easily brittle and lost their effectivity fast. As a measure, these receptacles were then built out of polyurethane plastic. Like their predecessors, grit bins still suffered damage and destruction not because of the weather but because of vandals from people with nothing better to do. There are also problems about leaving the lid of this bin open which renders the mixture useless because of the sun and rain and tipping it over leading to the spilling of its contents carelessly on the floor.

These information prove that Grit Bins perform a huge part to a community that is subjected to weather extremes. They keep salt-grit mixture that is essential to keep roads and sidewalks safe.