Code of Practice for the
Environmental Management of Road Salts
Chemicals Control Branch, Pollution Prevention
Directorate, Environment Canada
 More than mere advantages to the environment
The Canadian northern climate, with its periods of frost and snowfalls,
is a continuous challenge for authorities in charge of ensuring free-flowing
and safe traffic on Canadian winter roads. On average, five million tons
of road salts are spread from coast to coast each year. While our current
operating procedures provide the means for winter road safety, we may ask
ourselves whether traditional practices for road salt management are the
best ones or not.
The Code of practice - As the result of a scientific assessment carried
out under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999), an assessment
report published December 1, 2001 concluded that road salt discharges were
harmful to the environment and its ecosystems. The conclusions of this report
gave rise to the Code of practice for the environmental management of road
salts, which came into force in April 2004. This Code is a tool that was
purposely developed by Environment Canada and road authorities across Canada
to safeguard the environment. Its main objective is to provide environmental
protection while maintaining road safety. It is intended for organizations
that use over 500 tons of road salts each year and organizations that include
on their territories sensitive area which could be affected by road salts.
Advantages of adhering to the Code
Once enforced, Code recommendations will not only be profitable to the
environment, but they could also include advantages for road authorities,
such as more efficient operations and savings in equipment use. Environment
Canada published several case studies showing the environmental and financial
benefits brought about by the improvement of road salt management practices.
The Code of practice for the environmental management of road salts features
a simple and flexible alternative that you can adapt to the reality of your
organization for greater benefits.
Following Recommendations
The Code of practice recommendations correspond to four steps that are
highly adaptable to each organization. Table 1 summarizes each one of these
steps.
 For more information
To obtain additional information or receive reference material on road
salt management, please write to Environment Canada at RoadSalts@ec.gc.ca
or contact one of the following regional offices:
Atlantic Provinces
Tel. (902) 426-9590
Quebec
Tel. (514) 283-4670
Prairie Provinces, Nunavut, and Northwest Territories
Tel. (780) 951-8890
Ontario
Tel. (416) 739-5872
British Columbia
Tel. (604) 666-9862
Yukon
Tel. (867) 667-3402
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