Disposing of paraffin (2025)

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2013yearofthehouse Posts: 3,077 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 2:46PM edited 7 September 2013 at 2:51PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

An elderly family friend found some paraffin in her greenhouse and took it to the local tip, but they wouldn't take it. She doesn't drive, so has asked me to get rid of it. What's the best way to dispose of it, please?

Myser Posts: 1,907 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 3:44PM

Is it a large quantity? If you know anyone that goes camping or regularly does barbeques, you could pass it on to them.

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keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 3:56PM

Ring the Council and ask them. Some tips take it some don't.
Alternatively:
1. Have a nice bonfire.
2. Sell it to Branson
3. Convert into firelighters for the barby or the front room fire.
Cheers

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
2013yearofthehouse Posts: 3,077 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 3:57PM

Only about 4-5 litres
Have already asked around neighbours and friends, but there's no-one that would like it unfortunately.
2013yearofthehouse Posts: 3,077 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 4:06PM

keystone wrote: »
Ring the Council and ask them. Some tips take it some don't.
Alternatively:
1. Have a nice bonfire.
2. Sell it to Branson
3. Convert into firelighters for the barby or the front room fire.
Cheers
Don't have anything for a bonfire and we don't have a barby or a fireplace unfortunately. No tips in Berkshire or Hampshire will take it, I guess I might have to check even further afield.
googler Posts: 16,103 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 4:54PM edited 7 September 2013 at 4:59PM

One council suggests taking it to a garage or motor workshop
http://www.hart.gov.uk/index/environment-and-planning/rubbish_waste_and_recycling/rubbish-faq.htm
Maybe try your local garage, see if they'll do you the favour?
re3 disposal facilities will take half a litre from you, maybe more if you plead...
http://www.re3.org.uk/Data/Page_Downloads/FAQ2012.pdf
http://www.re3.org.uk/
Or you could find a paraffin heater (maybe the elderly person still has one), light it and leave it running in a garage or outbuilding to burn it off?
2013yearofthehouse Posts: 3,077 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 6:57PM

Thanks, I'll try a local garage then. Will contact re3 if I get desparate, unfortunately don't live close to them and would prefer not to resort to a 1hr round trip at half a litre at a time!
The paraffin did actually come from a heater, but it was really old and she didn't know how to use it, plus wasn't sure it was safe, so she got rid of it.
Myser Posts: 1,907 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 8:28PM

2013yearofthehouse wrote: »
The paraffin did actually come from a heater, but it was really old and she didn't know how to use it, plus wasn't sure it was safe, so she got rid of it.
Ah, in that case it may contain other contaminents. If the old heater contained lead, it wouldn't be a good idea to reuse the paraffin.
Try local garages as mentioned above. Most council run recycling facilities will not take it.

If my post hasn't helped you, then don't click the 'Thanks' button!
vaio Posts: 12,287 Forumite

7 September 2013 at 9:41PM

Find someone who has oil central heating or an old diesel car/van.
It can go straight in an oil tank but needs mixing with a tank full of diesel if you put it in a vehicle