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I-95 Highway Cleanup Project – South Carolina Emergency Spill Response

When a tractor-trailer carrying machine parts rolled into a creek along Interstate 95, spilling 300 gallons of diesel fuel and 50 gallons of oil into an environmentally sensitive area, U.S. Waste Industries mobilized immediately. Our emergency response team arrived within hours, contained the spill, recovered the fuel and oil, salvaged cargo, and restored the site to compliance—all within 15 hours.

This South Carolina highway cleanup demonstrates our 24/7 emergency response capabilities, HAZWOPER-trained crews, and ability to operate safely in high-pressure situations with minimal disruption.

The Challenge: Fuel Spill in Creek, Highway Closed, Cargo Scattered

Given the volume of tractor-trailers traveling north and south through the busy Interstate 95 corridor in South Carolina, highway truck spills are all too common. This incident involved a driver hauling a full load of palletized machine parts who fell asleep at the wheel after a long day on the road. The truck rolled off the highway and into a flowing creek.

When law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, they reported:

• Fuel spill in environmentally sensitive area – Approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel and 50 gallons of oil spilled into a creek
• Machine parts scattered across the site – Six palletized loads ejected from the truck, some damaged
• Highway safety concerns – Accident site on a busy interstate requiring traffic control and rapid cleanup
• Regulatory pressure – Environmental officials required immediate containment and remediation

Highway authorities notified U.S. Waste Industries immediately and provided preliminary details. Since time was critical, we dispatched a five-man emergency response team to the site without delay.

Our Emergency Response: Rapid Mobilization and Containment

At U.S. Waste Industries, our professionally-trained emergency response teams have the practical know-how to operate in an organized manner while maintaining the sense of urgency needed for rapid response and remediation.

Step 1: Immediate Dispatch and Equipment Mobilization

We immediately dispatched a five-man HAZWOPER-trained team to the site. They arrived at approximately 6 pm with an array of spill cleanup equipment and supplies, including:

• Two excavators for debris removal and soil recovery
• Absorbent pads specifically designed for cleanup of petroleum-based products from soil and water
• Specialized containment booms and barriers
• Vacuum equipment for liquid fuel recovery
• Containers for contaminated soil, absorbents, and waste materials

Step 2: Site Assessment and Plan Development

Working in consultation with environmental officials and law enforcement, our crew leader conducted a site assessment and developed a plan based on the scope of work involved. The plan prioritized:

• Immediate containment to prevent further creek contamination
• Fuel and oil recovery from water and soil
• Cargo salvage and debris removal
• Highway safety and traffic coordination
• Full regulatory compliance and documentation

Step 3: Fuel and Oil Containment and Recovery

Our first priority was containing and removing the petroleum products that had spilled into the creek and surrounding landscape. We deployed absorbent booms in the creek to prevent downstream contamination, then used absorbent pads and vacuum equipment to recover:

• Approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel
• Approximately 50 gallons of oil

All contaminated soil, absorbent materials, and recovered petroleum products were placed in specialized DOT-approved containers for proper disposal at a permitted facility.

Step 4: Cargo Recovery and Debris Removal

In the meantime, we addressed the six palletized loads of machine parts that had been ejected from the truck during the rollover:

• Four pallets remained intact – We used excavators to hoist them out of the way to an adjacent staging area
• Two pallets were compromised – Our crews salvaged a significant percentage of the contents and removed them to containers

This cargo recovery minimized the client’s loss and prevented debris from entering the creek or roadway.

Step 5: Site Restoration and Cleanup

Working through the night in a busy highway area, our team observed the highest standards of safety at all times. We coordinated with law enforcement and highway officials to ensure safe operations near active traffic lanes.

By 9 am the following morning, we had cleaned up the entire site in full compliance with all applicable EPA, South Carolina, and DOT regulations.

Project Results: 15 Hours From Dispatch to Completion

This emergency spill response demonstrates the speed, expertise, and safety focus that U.S. Waste Industries brings to every project:

• 6 pm – Emergency team arrived on-site
• 9 am next day – Site fully cleaned and restored (15 hours total)
• 300 gallons diesel fuel – Contained and recovered
• 50 gallons oil – Contained and recovered
• 6 palletized loads – Salvaged or removed
• Zero secondary contamination – Creek protected from downstream pollution
• Full compliance – All EPA, state, and DOT regulations met
• Zero safety incidents – Despite working through the night on a busy highway

What Makes Our Emergency Response Effective

Highway spills require more than cleanup equipment—they require trained professionals who can assess risks, coordinate with authorities, and execute safely under pressure.

1. 24/7 Availability and Rapid Mobilization

When highway authorities called, we dispatched a team immediately—no delays, no excuses. Our 24/7 emergency hotline (800-727-9796) ensures you always reach a real person who can mobilize resources within hours.

2. HAZWOPER-Trained Emergency Response Teams

Every crew member is trained in Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER), ensuring they can safely handle petroleum spills, hazardous materials, and contaminated environments.

3. Specialized Equipment for Petroleum Spills

We arrived with absorbent pads specifically designed for petroleum-based products, containment booms for creek protection, excavators for soil recovery, and DOT-approved containers for waste transport.

4. Coordination with Regulatory Authorities

Our crew leader worked directly with environmental officials to develop a compliant cleanup plan, ensuring the site met all regulatory requirements before demobilization.

5. Safety in High-Risk Environments

Working through the night on a busy interstate highway requires strict safety protocols. Our team coordinated with law enforcement, maintained traffic safety, and completed the job without incidents.

Types of Highway and Transportation Spills We Handle

U.S. Waste Industries provides emergency response services for a wide range of transportation incidents, including:

• Truck rollovers and fuel spills
• Tanker truck accidents (diesel, gasoline, chemicals)
• Rail derailments
• Port and terminal spills
• Pipeline leaks and ruptures
• Industrial site accidents
• Cargo damage and hazardous material releases

Services Demonstrated in This Project

This I-95 highway cleanup showcased multiple emergency response capabilities:

• 24/7 emergency spill response – Rapid mobilization and containment
• Hazardous waste disposal – Petroleum product recovery and disposal
• Environmental remediation – Creek cleanup and soil recovery
• Heavy equipment mobilization – Excavators and specialized spill response tools
• Regulatory coordination – Working with EPA, state officials, and law enforcement

Industries and Clients We Serve

Our emergency response services support trucking companies, logistics firms, manufacturers, government agencies, and insurance companies dealing with:

• Highway and roadway spills
• Transportation accidents
• Industrial facility emergencies
• Oil and gas field incidents
• Rail and port spills

Why Choose U.S. Waste Industries for Emergency Response

When seconds matter, you need a partner who answers the phone with real expertise—not a call center. Here’s what sets us apart:

• 24/7 emergency hotline – Call 800-727-9796 anytime, reach a real expert immediately
• Rapid mobilization – Crews dispatched within hours, not days
• HAZWOPER-trained professionals – Safe handling of petroleum spills, chemicals, and hazardous materials
• Specialized spill response equipment – Booms, absorbents, excavators, vacuum trucks, containment systems
• Regulatory expertise – Full EPA, DOT, and state compliance documentation
• Nationwide coverage – Operating across the Southeast and beyond

Get Immediate Help with an Emergency Spill

If you’re dealing with a highway spill, fuel leak, chemical release, or transportation accident, U.S. Waste Industries can help. Our emergency response teams are standing by 24/7 to mobilize, contain, and clean up spills safely and compliantly.

Emergency Hotline: 800-727-9796 (24/7)
General Inquiries: 800-669-9552
Or contact us online for non-emergency planning and preparedness.

U.S. Waste Industries: Compliance you can trust. Experts you can reach.