The present invention relates to methods of recovering hydrocarbons or low polarity organic chemicals from hard surfaces, water and water surfaces, in their vapor state and from porous substrates. The hydrocarbons or low-polarity organic chemicals may be included in a spill. More particularly, the invention relates to the absorption of certain hydrocarbons and low-polarity organic chemicals by applying thermoplastic elastomers of a triblock copolymer of the general configuration A-B-A. The preferred A-B-A copolymer of the invention is a low to medium molecular weight hydrogenated polystyrene-poly(isoprene+butadiene)-polystyrene or polystyrene-b-ethylene/ethylene-propylene-b-styrene block copolymer. The method of forming a three-dimensional object from a hydrocarbon or low-polarity organic chemical absorbing substance includes: applying pressure to particles of a polymeric material comprising a styrene-ethylene/ethylene/propylene triblock copolymer containing from approximately 20 to 40 percent styrene, and; heating the particles for a period of time sufficient to form the three-dimensional object.