Whether being used to clean up a large oil spill or just to recover from a small mishap, the proper disposal of oil absorbents plays an important role in keeping our planet green. With many different types of oil absorbents to choose from, it’s easy to find a product that can get the job done and be implemented properly.
Oil Eater
Commonly used for household purposes, Oil Eater is an excellent product known for its ability to safely eliminate oil and grease. Their absorbent pads and rolls are OSHA compliant and proven to eliminate larger spills. Unfortunately, leaving soiled pads lying about increases the risk of potential fires becoming out-of-control. While Oil Eater pads and rolls are non-toxic and biodegradable, they must still be placed in a separate bag from other trash materials and be disposed of in an approved waste facility.
Oil-Dri
Yet another effective product, Oil Dri takes a different approach at cleaning up an oil leak and is popular in garages and shops around the country. The product comes in a large pail and is in a granular form. Once poured over the affected area, the product begins absorbing oil. When finished, the user can simply sweep away the product. From here, many sweep the used granules into the street–this is not recommended as there is still a fire hazard.The granules should be placed in a plastic bag and taken to a landfill that meets certain exemptions.
Reusable Oil Absorbents
While the above examples portray disposable methods of oil absorption, an increasingly popular and eco-friendly way to clean oil spills is to use reusable absorbents, and there are a variety of products on the market in which the use of this method can be employed. Oil socks and booms are made of materials that are able to be washed. Once the product has been laundered, it can be used again, and no hazards remain. Best of all, the user can save money as they do not have to purchase new rags or other oil absorbents.
Prior to laundering reusable absorbents, it is important to keep in mind that a little bit of homework must be done to ensure the task is done in a safe manner. The user should contact their local publicly owned treatment works facility to determine if the waste water that will result from the laundering will need to be pretreated.
Prevent Oil Spills & Leaks
Hopefully, your need for use of any of these oil absorbents will be few and far between. No oil spills always beats an oil spill cleanup, even if the cleanup is done in the most environmentally-conscious way possible. In order to prevent leaks and spills, make sure you are following lubricant storage and handling best practices. Putting a little extra time and effort into your oil storage setup will keep your shop clean, the planet happy, and the Oil Eater on the shelf.
