Green County uses cheese brine to melt snow

Cheese brine is being used to melt snow and ice off the roads in Green County. Highway Commissioner Chris Narveson says the liquid is made up for 23% 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 75,000 gallons of cheese brine. 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 10 times that amount – $15 to $25 per mile – to use rock salt.”