Beijing welcomed its first winter snowfall this week with a groundbreaking environmental initiative, replacing traditional chemical de-icers with sustainable snow management solutions. Municipal authorities confirmed this marks a permanent shift toward greener urban winter maintenance practices.
New Strategies in Action
Crews deployed heated pavement systems in high-traffic zones like Wangfujing shopping district and utilized organic snow-melting agents derived from food-grade calcium magnesium acetate. The measures come as part of Beijing's 2025 Clean Winter Action Plan announced last month.
Why Traditional De-icers Were Phased Out
"Previous chloride-based compounds caused cumulative damage to infrastructure and aquatic ecosystems," explained Zhao Lin, spokesperson for Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Management. "Our new approach prevents 85% of chemical runoff while maintaining road safety standards."
Early data shows the eco-friendly methods reduced water contamination risks near the Olympic Forest Park by 62% compared to December 2024 operations. The transition aligns with China's national carbon neutrality targets, potentially cutting winter maintenance emissions by 12,000 metric tons annually.
Residents have welcomed the changes. "My children can play with snow without worrying about chemical stains," said Hou Ying, a mother in Chaoyang district. The city plans to expand solar-powered snow-melting systems to 30% of major roads by 2026.
