A novel 
filtration media employing polymeric absorbents comprising a material selected from the group consisting of 
styrene, pentadiene, 
cyclopentadiene, butylene, 
ethylene, 
isoprene, butadiene, propylene and mixtures thereof; and a 
filtration enabler intimately mixed with the polymeric absorbent. Preferably, the 
filtration enabler comprises clay, 
ground glass, 
talc, 
mica, recycled rubber, sand, gravel, 
vermiculite, recycled plastic chips, an 
inert, non-
absorbent material, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the polymeric absorbent may be further compounded to incorporate about 10 to 50% recycled or waste plastic 
scrap, 
scrap polyolefins, inorganic fillers, or other inexpensive, relatively 
inert solids. Other compounding materials may include clay, 
talc, 
mica, 
ground glass, silica, and mixtures thereof. Upon contact with a 
hydrocarbon containing liquid, the liquid partially dissolves the polymeric absorbent forming a partial filtration barrier prior to the filtration media substantially absorbing the hydrocarbons, and allowing 
hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow through the filtration media. In situations of a leak or spill wherein an excess of hydrocarbons are present, the filtration media forms a plug to seal and prevent further 
discharge of the hydrocarbons. The filtration media may be placed inside a portable container for 
insertion into an existing drain such that 
hydrocarbon containing liquid is filtered through the device allowing hydrocarbon-free liquid to flow from the device. The filtration media has a thickness within the container adapted to substantially filter out hydrocarbons while capable of forming a 
plug in an excess of hydrocarbons. The filtration media of the present invention may be employed in pits, pipes, and self-contained cartridges of various sizes to remove and contain hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing liquid or a hydrocarbon spill or leak, and that the absorbent will form a 
plug in an excess of hydrocarbons entering the pit, 
pipe or 
cartridge. Also described are methods of filtering and preventing 
discharge of a hydrocarbon containing liquid.