Hello, 3leg-ga!
Non-formaldehyde based, portable toilet and holding tank products use
a variety of natural ingredients to breakdown waste and/or deodorize
the water in a portable toilet. Some products are strictly deodorizers
while others also use natural bacteria or enzymes to break down waste
products.
The types of formulations used in portable toilets and holding tanks
to control odor and bacteria are important to consider.
Formaldehyde-based formulas are not good for septic systems or marine
environments.
While the formulations for the various non-formaldehyde based products
are proprietary, you can get a basic idea of the individual components
from some of the ingredient listings and product descriptions below.
Most products, however, do not list the ingredients online. If you can
get hold of the product package or write to the company, you will
likely get an ingredient list but it is highly unlikely they will
provide the exact formula specifications that make their product
unique.
=
The following excerpt provides a good overview of the types of
treatment available for portable toilet waste breakdown and provides a
list of non-formaldehyde based treatment products:
From "RV Waste Treatment Information Fact Sheet
http://www.tians.org/campgreencanada/Matrix.pdf
BACTERIOLOGICAL TREATMENT - "Biological treatment is the most
environmentally responsible. When added to the on-board toilet and
holding tank, bacteriological products provide large quantities of the
right kind of bacteria, sometimes called microbes, to break down the
waste. These beneficial bacteria make their own enzymes to decompose
human waste safely and effectively. Because the decomposition process
is efficient, there should be no unpleasant odours to worry about. The
beneficial bacteria thrive because harmful chemicals are not being
used and because of the adequate supply of nutrients in the waste. The
resulting material in the RV holding tank, mainly water and minerals,
can be dumped safely in campground septic systems."
CHEMICAL TREATMENT - "People often think chemically-based products are
working well because their intense fragrances mask unwanted odours.
However, most of these products contain harsh chemicals such as
formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde or quaternary ammonium compounds that
do little, if anything, to break down the wastes. The bad news is that
these harsh chemicals are formulated to kill the useful bacteria or
severely impede their ability to work effectively. When waste from the
RV is pumped out at the campground?s facilities, the chemicals they
contain have the potential to also kill the useful bacteria working to
break down the waste in the system."
ENZYMATIC TREATMENT: "The addition of proper enzymes could support the
desired activity of natural beneficial bacteria. Unfortunately, these
products may also contain fragrances and harsh chemicals, which can
harm those same beneficial bacteria, negating the potential benefit of
providing the proper enzymes."
NUTRIENT ENHANCEMENT: "Nutrient enhancement sounds positive. However,
under normal conditions, waste already contains plenty of material to
be broken down into nutrients, as long as the natural bacteria are
healthy and there is no nutrient overload. In fact, an oversupply of
nutrients entering lakes, rivers and the sea can lead to a significant
decrease in water quality, reducing fish productivity and increasing
the potential for harmful algae blooms. Nutrient enhancement products
are therefore of little benefit in situations where there is an
adequate supply of waste in the system."
* See Environmentally-friendly Product Listings with company contact numbers *
http://www.tians.org/campgreencanada/Matrix.pdf
===
I have provided a sampling of some formaldehyde-free products for
portable toilets. While the exact formulation is proprietary, they
primarily use natural bacterias and enzymes to promote waste breakdown
or control odor in portable toilets.
If you desire a specific formula developed for your particular needs,
you might want to contact Biosystems Canada. They offer customized
laboratory studies and treatment services to determine which bacteria
formulation is suitable for breaking down a specific material.
Biosystems Canada
http://www.biosystemscanada.com/services.htm
"BioSystems Canada provides extensive laboratory testing including
contract research for degradation programs. The studies most often
requested relate to determining the viability of a biological
treatment by augmentation with specially adapted bacteria or by using
indigenous flora."
"A treatability study is designed to provide the client with
preliminary information regarding the ability of specially selected
bacteria in the material submitted.
"The client submits a sample of the material (soil, liquid, or sludge)
to be treated. Based on the goal of the client (degradation,
liquefaction or separation) the sample is treated with appropriate
bacteria and nutrients, if applicable. The number of samples prepared
is based on how many bacterial products and nutrient combinations are
to be tested. The samples are compared to an untreated control.
"Samples are incubated for a predetermined amount of time, generally
seven days. They are then analyzed and rated relative to the best
product or product nutrient combination. A report is issued describing
the results of the study.
FORMALDEHYDE-FREE PRODUCTS FOR PORTABLE TOILETS
=================================================
ALKEN® TREAT-A-LOO 2
========================
http://www.alken-murray.com/trtlu2pib.htm
PORTABLE TOILET ODOR CONTROLLER & WASTE DEGRADING CONCENTRATE
DESCRIPTION:
"ALKEN® TREAT-A-LOO 2 quadruple-strength concentrate provides a safe,
natural method for control of odors, as well as a reduction in waste
volume in portable toilets and in RV and marine holding tanks. ALKEN®
TREAT-A-LOO 2 contains seven strains of non-pathogenic Bacillus, Yucca
schidigera, an oxygenating bio-stimulant for anaerobic environments, a
very classy fragrance, dyes and surfactants, that together control
waste-related odors rapidly and thoroughly. Active Aloe, the most
biologically active form of Aloe vera, further enhances the formula by
stimulating the bacteria to faster activity as it enhances the binding
of odors. ALKEN® TREAT-A-LOO 2 contains no toxic ingredients and
produces a waste that is acceptable at most disposal facilities."
See Composition/Information on Ingredients:
http://www.alken-murray.com/trtlu2msd.htm
Chemical Name
* Water
* Aloe vera, barbadensis Miller
* Nitrate blend
* Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid, Na salt
* Viable bacterial cultures
* Yucca schidigera
* Wild Hyacinth Fragrance
* Royal Blue Polymer Dye
* 1,2-benzisothiazolin- 3-one
* Tetrasodium EDTA
* Isopropyl alcohol
* Sodium hydroxide
* Dipropylene glycol
ROYAL FLUSH
===========
Athea Laboratories
http://www.athea.com/530.html
Description
http://www.athea.com/WebTech_PDFs/530web.pdf
"This product is a breakthrough in portable toilet waste and odor
control. This high performance product uses nature's own waste
digestion process to aggressively destroy odors instead of hiding them
behind fancy perfumes. Fast acting enzymes attack waste and its
by-products at the molecular level. Millions of potent waste digesting
bacteria work continuously to reduce solid accumulation and destroy
odors at their source. Far safer and more effective than formaldehyde
and other harsh preservatives, this product is 100% biodegradable.
Treated waste can be processed in conventional waste treatment
facilities without special handling. A pleasant, fragrance and a
built-in dye aid in keeping each use delightful."
Active Ingredients
Propylene Glycol
Bacillus genus
Acrylic Copolymer
Poly (oxyethylene) nonylphenol
GreenChem
==========
http://www.greenchem.com/024porflusdi.html
024 Portable Flush Digestant 530
----------------------------------
"Turn Portable Toilets into Mini Water Treatment Plant. Attacks Odors
and Waste at the Molecular Levels.
Stops disguising portable toilet waste accumulation and odor problems
behind without the use of dangerous chemicals or fancy perfumes.
** Uses nature's own waste digesting process to control these
nuisances. Millions of specially multi-cultured bacteria work
continuously to reduce solid waste at the molecular level to speed up
the deodorizing process. **
This synergistic action keeps portable toilets and holding tanks
pleasant even during periods of heavy use. A light fragrance and a
built-in dye maintain a clean, attractive appearance."
* Formaldehyde-free ingredients make PORTABLE FLUSH DIGESTANT 100%
biodegradeable.
* Bacteria cultures double in reproduction every 30 minutes at 70°F.
BIOLOGIC LPT
=============
http://www.scicorpbiologic.com/
"A blend of natural micronutrients for the treatment of waste
materials within portable toilets."
BIOLOGICÒ products are a group of biological waste system additives
containing a proprietary blend of organic micronutrients, all of which
are biodegradable and completely non-toxic, in a form readily
available to micro-organisms.
The relative concentrations and proportions of the various components
contained within the BIOLOGICÒ products have been explicitly
engineered to stimulate a specific group of microorganisms called
facultative anaerobes.
BIOLOGICÒ products do not contain bacteria or enzymes, but rather are
designed to stimulate existing bacteria found in biological systems
TELE BLAST
===========
http://www.telamode.on.ca/telablst.html
"tela-BLAST is a newly developed bacteria formulation consisting of a
synergistic blend of three Bacillus strains selected for their
abilities to control odours and provide waste reduction. tela-BLAST's
unique bio-formulation has been specifically designed for use in
porta-toilets, RV's and marine holding Tanks. This formulation is
designed specifically as an odour controller and offers a safe,
natural replacement for formaldehyde and quaternary compounds."
"Add four ounces of tela-BLAST to every five gallons of water in
porta-toilets, RV's or marine holding tanks."
Read about the Telemode company:
http://www.telamode.on.ca/index.html
BUSKLIN
========
"This specialty product is designed specifically for treating mobile
systems such as buses and portable toilets. Easy to use pre-measured
pouches leave a fresh fragrance. Non-formaldehyde formula will not
harm the environment. Safe blend will eat the sludge and degrade
tissue paper. This product will not harm plumbing or tanks."
http://www.biosystemscanada.com/busklin.htm
Contact page to request ingredient listing and formula
ENVIROPLEX-RV - a portable toilet water deodorizer
==============
Portable Toilet Treatment
http://www.cam.org/~biology/rvtoilets.html
"Enviroplex-RV Is an all in one holding tank treatment cleans the
holding tank and deodorizes, with a light natural lemon/orange
fragrance which boaters and rv'ers love. Eliminates the need for
multiple products such as deodorants and cleaners."
Natural Odor Control - Rapidly Liquefies Organic Wastes and Tissue
Organic and Biodegradable Environmentally Friendly Ingredients
Contains No Staining Chemical Dyes
** Contains No Formaldehyde Quaternary Compounds or Chlorine **
Treated Waste Disposal is Far Safer For The Environment
Non Poisonous Concentrate Organic Food Grade Ingredients
Non Corrosive and Safe To All Types of Plumbing Fixtures
** Enviroplex-RV Contains concentrated organic plant and fruit
extracts of natural origin, which act as biological stimulants,
natural sanitizers, cleaners and deodorizers. Contains no harsh
staining or irritating chemicals of any kind."
Other Products
==============
THETFORD SANITATION PRODUCTS
==============================
http://www.thetford.com/sanitation_deodrants.cfm#akgreen
SAFECHEM PRODUCTS - for use in portable chemical toilets
=================
http://www.safechem.co.uk/products.php?id=41
See:
Biosafe Extra
One Shot
====
I hope this information helps to answer your question. If you need
additional clarification, please feel free to ask and I will happy to
help if I can!
Sincerely,
umiat
Google Search
portable toilets
natural formula for portable toilet
non-formaldehyde portable toilets
formulas for bacteria-based waste treatment
non formaldehyde correcting liquid for portable toilets
formaldehyde-free waste breakdown products
biodegradable portable toilet formula |
Clarification of Answer by
umiat-ga
on
17 May 2004 20:51 PDT
3leg-ga!
As I mentioned in my answer, "exact" formulas for these products is
patented information that would be highly protected by the individual
manufacturer, lest someone try to duplicate a company's product. Aside
from that fact, there are many non-formaldehyde products, so each
formulation is somewhat different. Even if you were to be granted
"insider information" to the precise formulation, "exact formula
specs" would vary greatly from one product to another.
However, all of the formulas I referenced use various combinations of
enzymes, bacterias or nutrients as the major catlalyst to help break
down waste products in lieu of strong chemicals like formaldehyde.
Most products do not post their ingredient list online. Therefore, I
thought that the following product provided a very good representation
of a formulation for a non-formaldehyde product that uses bacterial
cultures as the major substitute for strong chemicals:
ALKEN® TREAT-A-LOO
http://www.alken-murray.com/trtlu2msd.htm
Chemical Name
* Water
* Aloe vera, barbadensis Miller
* Nitrate blend
* Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid, Na salt
* Viable bacterial cultures
* Yucca schidigera
* Wild Hyacinth Fragrance
* Royal Blue Polymer Dye
* 1,2-benzisothiazolin- 3-one
* Tetrasodium EDTA
* Isopropyl alcohol
* Sodium hydroxide
* Dipropylene glycol
In this case, water is the major ingredient, followed by aloe vera,
with the two major catalysts for waste breakdown consisting of a
"nitrate blend" and "viable bacterial cultures." I highly doubt the
company would divulge much more than this to an individual. However, I
do not know your circumstances and it is possible that you could call
the company and ask them to provide their proprietary formula.
Most other products, like Tele-blast, for instance, do not provide
much more information than "the unique bio-formulation...is a newly
developed bacteria formulation consisting of a synergistic blend of
three Bacillus strains.....
Another example would be Enviroplex-RV, which "contains concentrated
organic plant and fruit extracts of natural origin, which act as
biological stimulants..."
If I were to do several more hours of offline research, looking at the
ingredient labels on these various non-formaldehyde products, I can't
imagine any one of the companies would provide the precise
formulation. Again, they have every reason to protect their product
formula from competitors.
I provided the reference to Biosystems Canada
( http://www.biosystemscanada.com/services.htm ) in case you might
need a generic formulation for the breakdown of human waste. It is
possible that if you require this information for a project, they
might be willing to provide a "theoretical formula" with specific
amounts of each type of bacteria or enzyme. This would require direct
contact between you and the company, however, since they would need to
work with you concerning your precise needs.
Again, exact formula specs are highly specific to each product that is
made for portable toilets, and aside from the ingredient list that is
on label, I cannot imagine that any company will divulge the exact
percentages or specific components that make up their product.
Because of this, I was pleasantly surprised to find that ALKEN® TREAT-A-LOO 2
posted as much information as they did regarding their formula!
umiat
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