In the US, local hazmat teams are usually legally responsible for all oil spill debris, and conventionally all the debris goes into landfills or is incinerated. When it comes to oil spills, whether it’s a diaper that was left on the beach or a polypropylene boom or a shoe… When the press is watching, hazmat cleanup crews are much more vigilant. Eventually, the public gets what we call “oil spill story fatigue,” and when no one is looking, cleanup becomes sloppier. We have tested composting oily mats as well using fungi (mushrooms), thermophilic rows (green waste), and vermiculture (worms). It's a labor of love, but doable. Ultimately, where mats end up is decided by the hazmat teams.
