What happens to red diesel tank sludge after collection?
In brief
Treated at a permitted facility: water, solids and oil are separated, and the residues are disposed of or used for energy recovery. Waste gas oil is tested, dewatered and filtered like diesel, then recovered into fuel use or refinery feedstock. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry.
Paperwork for red diesel tank sludge
It moves on a consignment note (special waste in Scotland) from you to the carrier to the permitted facility, and each keeps a copy.
What sludge in red diesel tanks does to value
Sludge has no fuel value, so removing it carries a charge; the clean fuel above it can still earn a rebate.
How City Fuel Services handles waste red diesel
City Fuel Services buys, collects and handles waste red diesel for businesses, public bodies, farms and households. Describe the load and we come back with terms before booking the collection.
Terms used in this answer
- Consignment note
- The document that travels with hazardous waste from the producer to the receiving site. Each person in the chain completes and signs their part.
- Digital Waste Tracking
- The government's online service for recording waste movements. Permitted sites receiving waste in England and Wales have had to use it since 1 October 2026.
| Problem | Sludge in Red diesel |
|---|---|
| Recoverable? | Mostly no. |
| Fuel | Red diesel |
| Also called | gas oil, rebated diesel, marked gas oil |
| Waste code | 13 07 01* (fuel oil and diesel) |
Related questions
- What should I do with red diesel tank sludge?
- How do you remove sludge from a red diesel tank?
- How does sludge build up in red diesel tanks?
- How do you stop sludge building up in red diesel tanks?
- Is red diesel tank sludge hazardous waste?
- Who collects red diesel tank sludge?
- What happens to water-contaminated red diesel after collection?
- What happens to bug-contaminated red diesel after collection?
- What happens to petrol-contaminated red diesel after collection?
Red diesel in brief
Red diesel is gas oil: a middle-distillate fuel close to road diesel, made to BS 2869 for off-road engines, heating and power. Clean, dry gas oil recovers well.
Official guidance: GOV.UK: hazardous waste.