How to Clean Up an Oil Spill

Methods for cleaning oil spills vary depending on where the spill happens. Being prepared and knowing how to respond and what steps you can take if a spill occurs is important. The Cary Company sells various products to help with oil spill clean up.

An oil spill is a form of pollution that can occur in oceans, other bodies of water, and on land. Oil spills can take weeks, months, or even years to clean up and be harmful to marine life and other animals, humans, beaches, waterways, drinking water, soil, and more.

Marine oil spills are accidental and caused by human activity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Response and Restoration responds to over 150 oil and chemical spills in U.S. waters every year.

You can use different oil spill clean up methods and techniques for bodies of water and on land. Methods like sorbents, oil booms, chemical dispersants, and in-situ burning are often used to clean up oil spills, along with high-pressure washing and other products.

The Cary Company carries a variety of spill clean up supplies for marine oil spills and on-land oil spills.

• Spill Kits contain the equipment needed to respond to certain spills whether they be oil, chemical, or fuel. The Cary Company’s oil spill kits range from 5 gallons to 95 gallons.
• Spill Absorbent Socks help to absorb and stop the spreading of spills and leaks. We also carry spill absorbent socks for HazMat and universal use.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Rolls (Sonic Bonded) are perfect for the quick absorption of liquids. The sonic bond makes for added strength.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Pillows are great for soaking up oil and petroleum. The absorbent pillows can also be placed under drums and equipment to catch spills and drips.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Pads (Meltdown Sonic Bonded, Meltdown Double Laminated) soak up oil and oil-based fluids while repelling water.

Marine oil spills occur in environments such as oceans and can be harmful to surrounding wildlife and ecosystems. 

• Spill Absorbent Socks are good for marine use. They can contain and stop the spread of spills and are available in two sizes: 3” x 4’ and 3” x 8’.
• Oil Spill Booms can be used in oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water. Oil booms are floating barriers that contain and absorb oil and petroleum products in water to prevent oil spill disasters.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Rolls (Meltdown Non Bonded) are available in medium-weight and heavy-weight. These rolls are great for soaking up oil in marine environments. The rolls float indefinitely and are mildew-proof.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Pillows are useful for containing large oil spills and are fit for marine use.
• Oil-Only Absorbent Pads (Meltdown Non Bonded) are high-performing and repel water. The pads for marine use are available in light-weight, medium-weight, and heavy-weight options.

The length of time it takes to clean up an oil spill, whether it be marine or on land, depends on the size and severity of the spill.

The Deep Horizon oil spill in 2010, which released millions of barrels of oil into the ocean, is still seeing restoration efforts. A smaller-sized oil spill in a garage can typically be cleaned up in less than a week. 

When an oil spill occurs you want to make sure you can respond and act immediately. Here are some basic steps to keep in mind when cleaning up an oil spill:

• Have an oil spill response plan in place
• Spot and identify the spill
• Ensure you have the correct equipment and protection
• Secure the area
• Stop the spill’s flow at its origin
• Block and contain the spill
• Use the correct equipment and protection when cleaning up the spill
• Dispose of waste properly and follow regulations
• Make sure to restock spill supplies for future needs

Oceans aren’t the only bodies of water that need protection from potentially harmful substances. Oil spills can begin on land and spread to waterways such as rivers, streams, and ponds through storm drains. Stormwater Management Systems work to reduce the amount of chemicals, debris, and other materials from entering storm drains, groundwater, and surface water to protect our waterways from pollution. 

• Stormwater Filter Socks filter pollutants and harmful contaminants from stormwater runoff. 
• Drain Guards catch and prevent oil and other debris from contaminating waterways through storm drains. 
• Dewatering Bags allow you to drain silt, sediment, and oil-contaminated water without polluting other waterways. 

The Cary Company carries a wide selection of other Stormwater Management Systems including silt dikes, various tools and accessories, and more.

Now that you know how to properly prevent and respond to an oil spill, equip yourselves with reliable products from The Cary Company to help with cleanup. There are various products at The Cary Company that can help with cleaning up oil spills such as spill kits, spill absorbent socks, and more, as well as our stormwater management systems which help to protect the quality of waterways from pollutants.

The Cary Company is committed to providing greener, more sustainable options and solutions to our customers. We offer a variety of eco-friendly products including recycled plastic spill pallets, recycled plastic overpack drums, plastic paint cans, and more, listed in our Guide to Sustainable Containers & Products.