a composition for deicing or inhibiting formation of ice includes waste material from a fermentation process for producing an amino acid from a carbohydrate source , and at least some second anti - freezing and deicing agent or a carrier . the active agent is waste material from a fermentation process for producing an amino acid from a carbohydrate source . the carrier may be water . a method for deicing an icy surface includes applying to that surface an effective amount of waste material from a fermentation process for producing an amino acid from a carbohydrate source .