Outdoor activities like RV camping are an ideal way for travelers to escape indoor isolation. It’s all about packing up the necessities and hitting the open road. Living out of an RV camper for any amount of time will likely include eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom. These are some of the essentials that are all part of the experience.
Imagine being a traveler; Sitting around the campfire, cooking outdoors, and hiking are just a few of the fun activities to enjoy. However, smelling sewage while sitting in your RV, drinking that morning cup of hot coffee looking over a beautiful scenic view is not ideal. Luckily, MDG is here to ensure these odors don’t ruin the RV experience!
As a cleaning solutions manufacturer and/or distributor, you may know that there are three main types of RV septic tank treatments on the market:
- Chemical-based
- Biological-based
- Combination of chemical and biological-based
These all have their time and place for when they’re best used and are discussed in detail below, but treatments that contain Bacillus are superior for long-term effectiveness and are something to consider if you aren’t already offering.
Chemical-Based Treatments
Chemical-based products have been used for years and often include strong compounds that kill odor-causing bacteria. While they reduce odor and are often less expensive upfront, they also unfortunately prevent the natural bacteria found in waste from breaking it down, making pumping and dumping more difficult. Further, some of these chemicals such as formaldehyde, para-dichlorobenzene (both carcinogens), acids, and caustics can pollute soil and groundwater. Some are even corrosive to the RV toilet equipment.
There are also some chemical-based treatments that contain mild chemicals like fragrances, odor counteractants, dyes, and opacifiers (an ingredient that makes a product opaquer). These usually provide short-term fixes and/or improved visual appearance.
Biological-Based Treatments
Biological-based treatments offer a good alternative to harsh chemicals because they help reduce odors and help breakdown solids, making it easier to empty the RV tank. Bacillus-based treatments like SporActiv® SepticPacs for example increase the native bacterial and enzyme activity found in waste, helping reduce solids. Bacillus considers the odorous compounds produced by the native bacteria in waste as sources of food, thereby indirectly reducing odors.
Combination-Based Treatments
There are also combination products that contain both chemicals and biological ingredients. Some may contain “pickling” chemistry that slows down the growth of odor-causing bacteria but also contains beneficial bacteria for lasting odor support. Unfortunately, the list of safe “pickling” chemistries is getting shorter and shorter due to increased scrutiny from consumers and regulatory agencies on the use of harsh chemicals.
Most combination products are trending towards containing harmless fragrances, odor counteractants, dyes for immediate odor reduction as well as Bacillus biology for extended odor and solids reduction. These products release both the power of immediate odor reduction and visual coverage as well as biology.
If you’re interested in learning more about offering your customers septic treatments that contain Bacillus, whether combination-based or purely biologically-based, contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.
Figure 1. Recap of the benefits of using a treatment that contains Bacillus.
