The paper analyses the best practices of Russian researchers, including the authors of the article, in the field of crude oil and refined products cleanup of water surfaces by alternative sorbents. Sorption methods and using low-cost plant based sorbents are emphasized. Various modification methods (heat treatment, chemical modification, etc.) of the above mentioned sorbents are discussed, which are aimed at increasing oil sorption capacity and developing hydrophobic properties. It is evident from the review that these sorbents have considerable potential for the oil spill cleanup. (C) 2015 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.