A container has, in an upper part thereof, a body of an oleospecific absorbing material, composed mainly of a vegetable substance, preferably coir dust, minutely particulated, having an abundance of fine pores on the surface thereof, impregnated with hydrophobic material to provide a water repellent property and advantageously coated with oil permeable and oil-absorptive materials. This material, in the container, is exposed to mineral oil, floating on the ocean or on industrial waste water or the like. The oil ultimately drains into the container below the material, and is removed therefrom.