The Plant Nappy® is a lightweight spill containment mat designed to replace traditional drip trays on Irish construction sites, warehouses, and plant hire operations. Available in three sizes — 500x685mm (2L), 1000x685mm (4.5L), and 2000x1370mm (16L) — it captures oil and fuel spills while allowing rainwater to drain through freely, eliminating the need for costly tray emptying. Fully compliant with Irish EPA Waste Management (Petroleum Infrastructure) Regulations and EU Water Framework Directive requirements. Supplied by SSI Environmental, Dublin 15.
Sizes – 500 x 685mm 2 litre, 1000 x 685mm 4.5 litre, 2000 x 1370mm 16 litre
Whilst encapsulating any drips or spills of oil the mat freely allows passage of water, such as rainfall,
thus eliminating costly emptying of contaminated trays after use. The mat can be stood on uneven ground
or slight inclines with no loss of performance ensuring your company is protected at all times.
The Plant Nappy® is an easy and cost-effective way to ensure environmentally friendly practice on site,
avoiding possible prosecution or monetary fine for contamination of ground and water.
The Plant Nappy® liner is a useful addition to complement and extend the life of the Plant Nappy®. The
liner sits snugly onto the base of the Plant Nappy® but is easily removed for cleaning or replacement.
The Problem: Why Traditional Drip Trays Are Failing Irish Sites
Every week, Irish construction site managers and warehouse operators face the same compliance headache: a leaking machine, a pool of oil on the ground, and a traditional drip tray overflowing with a mixture of rainwater and contamination. Under the EPA’s Waste Management (Petroleum Infrastructure) Regulations 2007 and the EU Water Framework Directive, allowing petroleum products to reach ground or surface water can result in prosecution, remediation costs, and significant fines.
Traditional rigid drip trays create three compounding problems:
- They collect rainwater mixed with oil, requiring frequent, costly disposal of contaminated water
- They are rigid and difficult to position under large plant machinery or on uneven ground
- They require regular emptying a time-consuming task on active construction sites across Dublin, Cork, and Galway
What Is the Plant Nappy® and How Does It Work?
The Plant Nappy® is an innovative spill containment mat with a non-permeable base layer and a tough, porous top cover. When machinery drips oil or fuel, the mat captures the contaminant in its absorbent inner lining. Crucially, rainfall simply drains through the top cover and exits without mixing with the trapped oil a core advantage over rigid drip trays.
How it works in three steps:
- Position the Plant Nappy® flat on the ground beneath any leaking machine, generator, vehicle, or storage container it performs on uneven terrain and slight inclines without loss of containment
- Oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluid drips are captured by the bunded edge and absorbed into the inner liner, while rainfall passes through freely
- When the liner reaches approximately 50% capacity, remove it, squeeze out the collected contaminant into an approved receptacle, and reinsert for continued use saving disposal costs
Plant Nappy® Size Guide
| Size | Dimensions | Capacity | Best Use |
| Small | 500 x 685mm | 2 Litres | Generators, compressors, pumps |
| Medium | 1000 x 685mm | 4.5 Litres | Forklifts, small plant machinery |
| Large | 2000 x 1370mm | 16 Litres | Excavators, cranes, large plant |
Plant Nappy® vs Traditional Drip Tray Comparison
| Feature | Plant Nappy® | Traditional Drip Tray |
| Rainwater drainage | Passes through freely | Collects with oil |
| Use on uneven ground | Full performance | Spillage risk on inclines |
| Emptying frequency | Low oil only retained | High water + oil mix |
| Disposal cost | Reduced significantly | High (contaminated water) |
| Portability | Lightweight & flexible | Rigid, difficult to move |
| All-weather use | Designed for it | ⚠ Limited outdoor suitability |
| Liner replaceable | Yes reusable system | No liner option |
Where Is the Plant Nappy® Used in Ireland?
SSI Environmental supplies the Plant Nappy® to clients across Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford. Common applications include:
- Construction sites placed under diesel-powered plant machinery such as excavators, dumpers, and concrete pumps to prevent ground contamination
- Warehouse and distribution facilities used beneath forklifts, pallet trucks, and storage equipment in logistics hubs across Dublin and the greater Leinster region
- Plant hire depots a cost-effective standard specification for hired equipment, reducing client liability for contamination incidents
- Utility and infrastructure works deployed by Irish Water contractors and utility companies for environmental compliance on site
- Agricultural and rural settings positioned under farm machinery, tractors, and fuel storage in compliance with the EPA’s Agricultural Regulations
Ready to Replace Your Drip Trays? Call SSI Environmental: 01 866 5676 | enquiries@ssienvironmental.ie
Frequently Asked Questions Plant Nappy® Spill Containment Mat Ireland
What is a Plant Nappy® and what is it used for?
The Plant Nappy® is a portable spill containment mat designed to sit beneath machinery, vehicles, or equipment to capture oil, fuel, and hydraulic fluid drips. Unlike a traditional drip tray, it allows rainwater to drain through while retaining contamination making it ideal for outdoor use on Irish construction sites and yards.
Is the Plant Nappy® compliant with Irish environmental regulations?
Yes. Using a Plant Nappy® demonstrates proactive environmental compliance under the EPA Waste Management (Petroleum Infrastructure) Regulations 2007 and supports obligations under the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), which protects Irish watercourses from petroleum contamination.
What sizes does the Plant Nappy® come in?
Three sizes are available: 500x685mm (2 litre capacity) for generators and pumps, 1000x685mm (4.5 litre) for forklifts and light plant, and 2000x1370mm (16 litre) for large excavators and heavy machinery.
How often does the Plant Nappy® liner need to be cleaned?
SSI recommends cleaning the liner when it reaches approximately 50% capacity. Simply remove the liner, squeeze the collected oil into an approved waste container, and reinsert. A pair of rollers such as a mangle speeds this process for larger liners.
Can the Plant Nappy® be used on uneven ground?
Yes. The Plant Nappy® is specifically engineered for outdoor and construction environments, maintaining full containment performance on uneven ground and mild inclines where traditional rigid drip trays would tip or leak.
What types of spills does the Plant Nappy® capture?
The Plant Nappy® is designed for oil spills, diesel and fuel leaks, hydraulic fluid drips, and lubricant contamination. It is not intended for aggressive chemical spills see our oil and chemical spill kits for those applications.
What is the difference between the Plant Nappy® and a drip tray?
A traditional drip tray is a rigid container that collects everything oil and rainwater mixed. This creates expensive contaminated water disposal requirements. The Plant Nappy®’s unique construction allows clean rainwater to drain through while capturing only the oil, drastically reducing disposal costs and site management burden.
Can I buy a replacement liner for the Plant Nappy®?
Yes. SSI Environmental supplies replacement Plant Nappy® liners separately. The liner sits flush on the mat base and is easily removed for cleaning or replacement, extending the working life of the entire system.
How does the Plant Nappy® help prevent fines for environmental contamination?
Under Irish law, allowing oil or petroleum products to contaminate ground, soil, or watercourses can result in significant fines and prosecution under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and subsequent regulations. Using a spill containment mat like the Plant Nappy® demonstrates reasonable precaution and protects your business from liability.
Where can I buy a Plant Nappy® in Ireland?
The Plant Nappy® is supplied directly by SSI Environmental from stock in Dublin 15. Contact SSI Environmental on 01 866 5676 or email enquiries@ssienvironmental.ie for pricing, bulk orders, and next-day delivery across Ireland.
What other spill containment products complement the Plant Nappy®?
SSI Environmental also supplies spill kits, spill pallets, spill trays, IBC bunds, and collapsible spill berms for comprehensive site spill management. View the full spill containment range at ssienvironmental.ie/product-category/spill-containment/.
Get a Quote for Plant Nappy® Spill Mats | enquiries@ssienvironmental.ie | 01 866 5676