Road salt is a common deicer used to keep roads safe during winter weather. However, road salt can also damage the environment and infrastructure, and it can be harmful to pets and wildlife. As a result, there is growing interest in finding alternative deicers that are more environmentally friendly and less corrosive.

One promising alternative to road salt is beet juice. Beet juice is a natural deicer that is made from the juice of sugar beets. Beet juice is effective at melting ice and snow, and it is also less corrosive than road salt. In addition, beet juice is biodegradable and does not harm the environment.

Several other alternatives to road salt are also being studied, including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and potassium acetate. These alternatives are all less corrosive than road salt, and they are also more environmentally friendly. However, they are also more expensive than road salt, and they are not as effective at melting ice and snow.

The use of alternative deicers is still in its early stages, but there is growing interest in these products as a way to reduce the environmental impact of road salt. As research continues, it is likely that alternative deicers will become more affordable and effective, making them a viable alternative to road salt.

Here are some specific examples of how beet juice and other alternatives have been used to keep highways ice-free:

* In 2015, the city of Minneapolis began using beet juice as a deicer on some of its roads. The city found that beet juice was effective at melting ice and snow, and it did not damage the roads or harm the environment.

* In 2016, the state of Iowa began using calcium chloride as a deicer on some of its roads. The state found that calcium chloride was more effective at melting ice and snow than road salt, and it was also less corrosive.

* In 2017, the city of Denver began using magnesium chloride as a deicer on some of its roads. The city found that magnesium chloride was effective at melting ice and snow, and it did not damage the roads or harm the environment.

These are just a few examples of how beet juice and other alternatives are being used to keep highways ice-free. As research continues, it is likely that these products will become more affordable and effective, making them a viable alternative to road salt.