Setting the scene on kerosene: would you spot a spill before it became a serious problem?

Kerosene is an incredibly useful fuel - and it’s closer to home than most people realise.

Refined from crude oil and also known as paraffin, kerosene is:

• Less flammable than petrol
• BUT still associated with many of the same harmful health and environmental impacts

That’s why, when a kerosene spill happens, having the right process in place isn’t just “good practice” - it’s essential for people, property and the environment.

Where might kerosene be on your land?

In the UK, kerosene heating oil tanks are still widely used, especially in rural and off-grid areas.

Every winter we see a spike in kerosene spill callouts. A common cause?
Fluctuating ground temperatures leading to underground tanks and pipework cracking and leaking.

Two key warning signs:

1. Your heating system suddenly becomes less effective or more expensive to run
2. A strong, distinctive kerosene smell around the tank, boiler or nearby ground

If you spot either of these, speed matters. Kerosene can migrate through soil and groundwater, making the clean-up more complex and more costly over time.

Remember: as the landowner, you’re responsible for dealing with contaminated soil and preventing environmental damage. Acting early usually means less disruption, lower costs and a better outcome for the site.

What happens when a specialist spill response team arrives?

A typical kerosene-impacted soil project follows three key stages:

1️⃣ Contain and isolate the spill

• The first priority is to stop the spread
• Excavators are often used to remove impacted soil and place it on plastic sheeting or into a plastic-lined skip

2️⃣ Test and classify the soil (WM3 compliance)

• All excavated soils must be tested before haulage, treatment or disposal
• As soon as soils are excavated, they are considered waste until proven otherwise
• Proper classification under WM3 determines how and where the soil can be treated

3️⃣ Treat and recover, not just dispose

• Once lab results are back and a trained analyst has classified the soil, it’s ready for treatment and recovery

How UK Remediation supports kerosene spill projects

At UK Remediation we:

• Carry out waste classification for kerosene-impacted soils
• Accept and treat kerosene-contaminated materials at our soil treatment facilities
• Achieve 100% recycling/restoration rates for kerosene-impacted soils, diverting thousands of tonnes from landfill every year

Our goal is simple: turn a pollution incident into a successful remediation outcome, with minimal disruption for the client and maximum benefit for the environment.

If you’d like to discuss:

• Testing and classifying kerosene-impacted soils
• Treatment options and recovery routes
• Or you’re concerned you might have a spill on your land

Give us a call on 01179244990.