Overview
- Many Bavarian cities and municipalities now ban or tightly restrict salt on public land, with fines possible for violations.
- The Umweltbundesamt urges salt‑free abrasives such as sand, grit or granulate, with products carrying the Blue Angel label highlighted for lower heavy‑metal content.
- Authorities emphasize prompt clearing of fresh snow to prevent ice formation and advise reapplying abrasive material roughly every three hours during black ice if its effect diminishes.
- Mechanical alternatives have trade‑offs: sand and grit require larger quantities, more frequent application and post‑melt cleanup, and their production and deployment raise costs and energy use.
- Options differ in performance and price, with expanded clay (Blähton) floating in runoff but costing nearly four times as much as grit, while unsafe improvised materials like ash or wood shavings are discouraged.