The Top 5 Reasons You Should Stop Using Clay Absorbents

There’s no doubt that spills in the workplace should be properly contained and cleaned with a spill absorbent product. However, not all absorbent products are created equally. Clay absorbent products, for example, can do more harm than good in the workplace. That’s why if your company still uses a clay absorbent, you should start thinking about making the switch to a more natural spill absorbent to protect your business, your workers, and your bottom line. Don’t believe us? There’s five major reasons to consider making this switch today: 1. Clay absorbent products damage the workplace. Clay absorbents are made of small, rough granules. The sharp, abrasive edges of these granules could cause damage to floors or machinery during cleanup. Because you have to mix clay absorbent products around forcefully to clean spills, the granules sometimes scratch coated floors or sensitive machine parts. 2. Clay absorbent products are hard to lift. A lot of clay absorbent bags are bulky and weigh about 45 pounds, making the cleanup hard to handle for workers. Not to mention, absorbed liquid in used clay absorbents can add additional pounds. Investing in a lightweight absorbent, like SpillFix, will be easier on your workers’ backs. 3. Clay absorbent products are messy. The absorption rate of clay products isn’t as good as most people claim. Most of the time, workers end up using the whole bag of absorbent – or close to it – to clean a small spill. Even then, slippery residue can remain on the ground and create a work safety hazard. Non-clay absorbents, such as SpillFix, start absorbing liquids as soon the material touches the spill so you only need to use a small amount of spill absorbent product to get the job done. 4. Clay absorbent products are difficult to dispose. On top of clay absorbents requiring more sweeping and shoveling time, it is almost impossible to dispose of the used product quickly or efficiently. Unlike other spill absorbent products, used clay absorbents cannot be burned, and therefore must be stored in containers and disposed of via long tedious procedures. When SpillFix is used to clean oil or fuel spills, it can be disposed of easily and even transformed into a fuel source for other machinery. 5. Clay absorbents are a known health risk. In addition to all the aforementioned reasons, clay absorbent products can pose a dangerous health risk to workers. The dust associated with clay absorbents contains crystalline silica – a known lung carcinogen. By using clay products, workers put themselves at risk for a number of lung diseases. What should I use instead of clay absorbents? So if clay absorbents are harmful to workers and the workplace, what kind of absorbent products should you use? Absorbents made from renewable resources are probably your best bet. For example, SpillFix is made from coir, a renewable resource from the coconut husk. Because SpillFix uses this material, it is more lightweight, absorbent, and healthier for workers. Switching absorbent products now will save your business, your employees, and yourself a lot of time and hassle in the future.