What is mixed fuel?

In brief

Mixed fuel is petrol and diesel (and sometimes other fuels) that have ended up in the same container, most often when vehicles are drained during depollution or when a vehicle is misfuelled. Even a little petrol lowers the flash point of the whole mixture, so mixed fuel is handled as a highly flammable liquid. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry.

What mixed fuel is used for

Mixed fuel is the most common waste fuel from vehicle depollution and misfuel drains, and it usually still has recoverable value.

Mixed fuel as waste

Once discarded, mixed fuel is hazardous waste coded 13 07 03*. Petrol and diesel cannot simply be separated by settling, so mixed fuel is tested, dewatered and recovered by reprocessing: blended into industrial fuels or sent as refinery feedstock, where distillation separates it again.

How City Fuel Services handles waste mixed fuel

City Fuel Services buys, collects and handles waste mixed fuel 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

Gas oil (red diesel): Diesel-type fuel with a red marker dye, taxed at a lower rate for the uses where it is still allowed.
Hazardous waste: Waste with properties that can harm people or the environment, such as being flammable. Drained fuel is hazardous waste.

Key facts
Density at 15°C	Between petrol and diesel, about 720–845 kg/m³ depending on the mix
Flash point	Can be below normal air temperatures with only a small share of petrol
Transport	Usually UN1268 or UN1203, class 3, packing group II
Fuel	Mixed fuel
Also called	mixed petrol and diesel, cross-contaminated fuel, petroleum distillates
Waste code	13 07 03* (other fuels (including mixtures))
Transport	UN1268, class 3, packing group II