Written by the Pro-Enviro Team
Providing compliant spill cleanup, spill response, and storm drain cleanup throughout Washington State
Whether an oil or gas spill is caused by a fleet vehicle or if you’ve spilled something on private property, knowing what to do regarding small spill cleanup is essential. Even a little gas or oil spilled on the ground can cause serious environmental damage if not dealt with properly, especially if it’s near a storm drain or waterway.
Pro-Enviro by FleetEasy specializes in spill response, offering spill cleanup and recovery for spills of all sizes. Here are some step-by-step tips for dealing with your small spill.
Step 1: Contain the Spill
If it is safe to do so, try to stop the spill from spreading. This is critical if the spill is near surface water, groundwater, storm drains, or sanitary sewers. That means trying to plug holes, close valves, upright containers, etc., that have caused the spill.
If it’s leaking from something, try to catch it in a container or drip pan. You can also create barriers to stop it from spilling further or reaching a storm drain. Having a spill kit in your truck, garage or place of business can also come in handy for this.
Step 2: Report the Spill
Washington State law requires you to immediately report oil and gas spills to the Washington State Department of Ecology. Most of the spills they respond to are under 10 gallons, so even if your spill is small, you should still report it and ask for instructions. Here are some numbers to call:
- Washington Emergency Management Division at 1-800-258-5990
- The National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802
There are no penalties for reporting a spill you didn’t need to report. However, there can be massive fines and even legal consequences for not reporting one.
If you spilled a chemical or other substance that you think might be hazardous, you should report that too. Learn more about reporting different types of spills.
Step 3: Small Spill Cleanup
If the spill is large, complicated or near water, you should rely on a professional spill cleanup company like Pro-Enviro. Remember, these spills must be reported. It is your responsibility to report and ensure it’s cleaned up.
Spills on pavement: If the spill is on concrete or a paved surface, use an absorbent material to soak up the fuel or oil. Spill kits have special granules or absorbent pads, but you can also use kitty litter, peat moss, sawdust, etc.
Spills on land or soil: If the spill is on the ground, you can still use an absorbent material to extract whatever you can from the soil. Then you can use a shovel to scoop up the absorbent and put it in a double-bagged trash can or container, like a 5-gallon bucket.
Step 4: Dispose of the Spill
Small Jobs
If the spill is small and you’ve done this DIY small spill cleanup, you must dispose of it properly. If you only have a few bags of contaminated absorbents that aren’t too soaked, you can double-bag those and bring them to the local landfill with approval from that landfill.
If you’ve captured a small amount of oil or fuel in containers, you must take it to be recycled. You can call 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253) to find out where. Pro-Enviro can also do this for you.
If the spill occurs at home, you can take your waste bags to a household hazardous waste site in Washington State.
Bigger Jobs and Spills Near Storm Drains and Water
If it’s more than that and you need to dispose of contaminated soil or collected fuel or oil, you should call us. Pro-Enviro offers compliant spill cleanup and disposal of all contaminated materials. We can transport, dispose of and create proper records that are compliant with local regulations.
If you’re not sure what to do, call us. We’ll ensure everything is done correctly so you can do the job properly and avoid costly fines and penalties.
Big and Small Spill Cleanup in Washington State
Pro-Enviro by FleetEasy offers compliant spill response in Washington State and throughout the Pacific Northwest. If you’ve spilled on public or private property and are unsure what to do, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are happy to guide you through the steps to ensure a safe, legal and thorough cleanup.
Let’s protect the environment together! Call Pro-Enviro.
