Inexpensive "Do It Yourself" Spill Kit | Newsletters, Reports and Articles | Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

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Commercially available spill kits range in cost from $70 to more than $240. You can cut your cost and get the same benefit by assembling your own spill kit. The following "Do It Youself" spill kit was developed by Bill Klein of the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station in Traverse City, MI. Variations to this kit are endless and could include such things as 80 - 100 sq. ft. of 5 mil plastic sheeting and a fold-up military type shovel.

Item	Cost $	Range $
(1) 32 gallon trash can (Purchase trash cans with tight lids that clamp down - cans with wheels work well if you need to move the kit around.)	7.75	7 - 14
(20) One gallon lock-type plastic bags	1.00	1 - 3
(50#) absorbent material (e.g. kitty litter)	6.50	5 - 8
(1) Pair safety glasses or goggles	4.00	3 -7
(1) Tyvek (tm) disposable suit w/built in hood	6.00	5 - 9
(1) Pair PVC Boot/Shoe Covers	4.50	4 - 7
(1) Pair rubber gloves	5.00	2 - 7.50
(4) 5 - 6 gallon polyethylene bags w/ twist ties	1.00	1 - 2
(1) Dust pan ( non-sparking rubber)	3.25	2 - 5
(1) Whisk broom	4.75	3 - 5
(1) Roll or package paper hand towels	0.75	0.60 - 1.20
Total	44.50	33.60 - 68.70

How to Assemble

Label garbage can "Spill Kit" with permanent marker, vinyl letters or other permanent label.
Fill 10 or 11 of the gallon size lock-type plastic bags with absorbent and place them in the bottom of the garbage can for ballast.
Place gloves and safety glasses or goggles in one bag, disposable suit and boot/shoe covers in another bag and the remainder of the lock-type and polyethylene bags with twist ties in another bag.
Place bags, dust pan, whisk broom and paper towels on top of bags of absorbent in can and secure the can lid.
Add any extra materials that you feel are needed for your specific site.

Kit is ready for an emergency

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 03-05-99