Grit bin

Anyone may use a grit bin to clear a public path or road, though they are generally not intended for personal use.

[1] Typically, a spade or shovel is used to spread a thin layer of grit onto the road surface, covering any snow or ice.

[4][5] Grit bins were originally made of concrete, wood or even stone, though these are now increasingly being replaced by models constructed from plastic partly from safety concerns: vehicles/people hitting a plastic grit bin will suffer less damage.

However, the lower weight of plastic makes grit bins easier to steal or tip over.

In the United Kingdom, the local county council is usually responsible for maintaining and refilling grit bins as well as spreading rock salt on the roads.