Camping Green Awareness Program

Camping Green Awareness Program is a concerned group that supports non-toxic biological products that effectively control odors from holding tanks without causing harm to you or the environment.

There is a growing concern about the treatment and disposal of waste from RV holding tanks. Many RV owners are unknowingly using toxic chemicals in their holding tanks and are unaware of the problems these products can create.

Some aspects of recreational vehicle or RV-camping can have a negative impact on the environment. An Camping Green Awareness Program with the information below could go a long way towards helping RVers become more environmentally-friendly.

Chemicals May Cause Problems And Health Risks

Some RV Holding Tank chemicals may cause problems in campground septic systems, increasing the possibility of contaminating the soil as well as ground and surface water. In addition, there are potential health risks for all forms of life, including the people using these chemicals.

Safe Waste Disposal

Waste in your holding tank should contain nothing more than urine and feces, plus a small amount of toilet tissue. Bacteria found in human waste are beneficial because they live by decomposing our wastes into simple products that are harmless in small concentrations.

Safe waste disposal depends on keeping these beneficial bacteria healthy by minimizing the use of toxic products and not overloading the system.

Water Quality

Water quality can be affected by the choice of products used to treat wastes in RV holding tanks. Treating liquid wastes or controlling foul odours has additionally meant using chemicals prior to disposal into the campgrounds' septic systems, with most owners not realizing the potential environmental impact.

Imagine campgrounds with a No-chemical dumping policy and signs that read:

IMPORTANT NOTICE Holding tank chemicals are not permitted. If you use any chemicals in your holding tank (or you are not sure), DO NOT DUMP. Please contact the park office for further instructions. Prohibited Chemicals Formaldehyde and Ammonia, along with their by-products are the two primary chemicals of concern. The labels on the containers of formaldehyde products are required by federal law to have the words "Danger", "Poison", and a picture of a skull and cross bones. Some products claim to be Formaldehyde free, but contain chemicals that break down into Formaldehyde, a recognized cancer causing agent. Other Formaldehyde Free products contain Benzaldehyde which is in the same chemical family as formaldehyde. Most chemicals in the same family act the same way. Benzaldehyde Benzaldehyde is in the same chemical family as formaldehyde. Most chemicals in the same family act the same way. Bronopol Bronopol is a common ingredient in products marketed in tablets and green liquids. The EPA states "This chemical is a bacterial pesticide". These products are labeled formaldehyde free. However, in the presence of sewage, Bronopol breaks down into Formaldehyde. Dowicil The EPA states that "Dowicil is a bacterial pesticide." The EPA also states “Do not discharge effluent containing this product to sewer systems without previously notifying the local sewage treatment plant authority.” The company marketing this product makes it easier to remember the name by using 3 capital letters on the label. Formaldehyde Formaldehyde (also known as Formalin; degradate of bronopol) kills or retards bacterial growth, recognized by EPA as probable carcinogens; moderately toxic to humans. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states "Formaldehyde kills or retards bacterial growth; is recognized as a probable cancer-causing agent and is moderately toxic to humans." Glutaraldehyde Glutaraldehyde (also known as embalming fluid) Retards bacterial growth and covers sewage odor, eye/inhalation irritant. Paraformaldehyde Paraformaldehyde is a variation of Formaldehyde. When heated, it releases Formaldehyde. The EPA states "this chemical is also a pesticide and very toxic to humans." These chemicals come packaged in dry form in individual packages. Para-dichlorobenzene Para-dichlorobenzene is a common ingredient in mothballs, urinal cakes and toilet bowl fresheners, It is also a known carcinogen and drinking water contaminant; moderately toxic to humans. Cancer Causing Ingredients Any chemical that contains cancer causing ingredients. Including popular Holding Tank Treatments where Formaldehyde is mixed with methyl alcohol and marketed as a blue-colored, perfumed liquid.

Chemicals Destroy Bacteria

These chemicals destroy the bacteria which causes odor as well as the bacteria required to break down the waste in the campgrounds' septic system.

In addition, some campgrounds may be connected directly to Wastewater Treatment Systems which may not treat these chemicals before being discharged into water bodies.

Naturally occurring bacteria in holding tanks not treated with chemicals decompose waste into simple and harmless products. Safe waste disposal depends on minimizing or eliminating the use of toxic products to ensure sufficient supply of beneficial bacteria.

The breakdown of waste can also be enhanced by adding a biological additive, which will increase the rate of decomposition, with no unpleasant odours.

Did You Know?

That nearly 8 million U.S. households own at least one RV .. A 15 percent increase over the past 4 years and a 58 percent increase since 1980. According to one study, one in 12 U.S. vehicle owning households now owns at least one RV.

Among all U.S households, nearly one quarter (23 percent) intend to purchase an RV in the future.

Traditional RV holding tank treatment products used to control odor contain chemicals which can harm campground septic tanks and local groundwater.

Biological treatment products can potentially reduce the operating costs and time RV owners spend on maintaining their holding tanks.

Biological RV holding tank treatments contain active enzyme-bacteria packages, the effectiveness of which continues to increase with time as the bacteria colony grows.

Some dump stations and campgrounds operators now prohibit RVer's from dumping their holding tanks have been treated with chemicals.

Biodegradable

Many products claim to be 100% biodegradable. The real question is how long it takes to completely and safely biodegrade into the environment. Uranium and other chemical compounds can take centuries to totally biodegrade.

Camping Green Awareness Program Goals

The goal of the Camping Green Awareness Program is to reduce the use of toxic chemical substances in the Treatment of RV Holding Tank wastes and prevent their leaching into groundwater systems.

Some of the chemicals that are being targeted are listed above. Posters could be distributed to both private and public campgrounds to promote the Camping Green Awareness Program and to advise campers to purchase only chemical free biological holding tank treatments endorsed.

Camping Green Awareness Program Partners

This Awareness Program could be a partnership between RV associations, tourism organizations, state parks, national parks, county parks, government agencies, campground owners,  recreational vehicle owners, dealers and distributors of RV products across the country.

The awareness program would provides RVer's with detailed information about the problems associated with chemical holding tank treatments. They would be encouraged to choose biological products, and directed to several products which are non-toxic and biodegradable.

Switch From Chemical To Biological Treatment

There is already evidence of the efforts being made by campers to switch from chemical to biological treatment. Several good biological products are now available and more are becoming available.

Greening recreational vehicle waste treatment practices and campground operations by preventing pollution in the first place, will provide contaminant-free spaces to be enjoyed by you and other Rver's.