Cheese brine is being used to melt snow and ice off the roads in Monroe, Wisconsin. Green County Highway Commissioner Chris Narveson says the liquid is made up of 23 percent salt and is better for the environment. He says the salt doesn’t melt the snow, but it’s the brine that does it. The County has already used more than 75 thousand gallons of cheese brine.
Business Insider points out that because cheese brine is a waste product that wouldn’t otherwise be used for any purpose, counties usually get it for free and only have to pay to transport it. “It costs Green County around $2.80 to $4.20 per mile to use cheese brine on its roads, while it costs more than ten times that amount – $15 to $25 per mile – to use rock salt,” Narveson said.
Green County has a functioning cheese factory that can provide cheese brine.
