Can You Burn Waste Oil? UK Rules for Heaters

The short answer

Not without an environmental permit. Government guidance treats a small waste oil burner, the kind of space heater once common in garages and workshops, as a small waste incineration plant. That means it needs an environmental permit from your local council, issued under Schedule 13A of the Environmental Permitting Regulations, and it must meet the waste incineration requirements of the Industrial Emissions Directive.

For most small businesses, it’s simpler to have the oil collected by a registered waste carrier and heat the building another way.

Why the rules changed

For many years, small waste oil burners were regulated under a lighter local system. Government guidance on waste incineration was updated in December 2015, and it now says these burners fall within the definition of waste incineration plants. Councils such as Swindon Borough Council explain that after 31 March 2016, older permits no longer covered burning waste oil, and operators needed a new permit meeting the incineration requirements. If you still run a heater on an old permit, check with your council.

What counts as waste oil?

The guidance defines waste oil as any mineral, synthetic, lubrication or industrial oil that has become unfit for its original use, including engine and gearbox oils, lubricating oils and hydraulic oils. Waste oil that hasn’t been processed to meet the end-of-waste criteria for processed fuel oil is still classed as waste.

Technician in protective gloves connecting a suction hose to an oil drum

Why burning waste oil is a problem

Used oil picks up contaminants in the engine or machine it came from. Burning it in a small heater without the right controls can release pollutants into the air. That’s why it’s regulated as waste incineration rather than ordinary heating.

What about diesel heaters, stoves and bonfires?

Don’t assume a heater is legal because it’s sold as “multi-fuel” or “waste oil” capable. If it’s burning waste oil, the permit rules apply. Talk to your council’s environmental permitting team before using waste oil as fuel in any appliance. Never burn waste oil on a bonfire, in a stove or in a drum. As well as breaking waste rules, it’s a fire risk and can harm neighbours.

Can I keep using my waste oil heater?

Some councils point out that a heater may be able to run on a non-waste fuel instead, such as kerosene or gas oil, without a waste permit. Whether that works for your appliance depends on the manufacturer, and you should confirm the position with your council.

The legal alternative: have it collected

Waste oil can be collected by a registered waste carrier and taken to a permitted facility, where it can be treated and recovered. That’s all you need to do: store it safely, book a collection and keep your consignment note. Read more about waste oil recycling and waste oil disposal.

Waste oil collection with BL Oils

We collect all types of waste oil, except cooking oil, from garages and workshops, factories, plant hire firms and farms across all of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. If you’ve decommissioned an old waste oil heater and have a tank of oil left, tell us what you’ve got and we’ll give you a free quote to collect it. See our waste oil collection page for the full list.

Frequently asked questions

Is it illegal to burn waste oil in the UK?

In England you need an environmental permit from your local council to burn waste oil in a small waste oil burner. Burning it without one isn’t allowed.

Do I need a permit for a waste oil heater in my garage?

Yes. Government guidance treats small waste oil burners as small waste incineration plants, which need a permit under Schedule 13A of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

Can I burn waste oil in a diesel heater?

If an appliance is burning waste oil, the waste incineration permit rules apply. Check with your council before using waste oil as fuel in any appliance.

What should I do with waste oil instead of burning it?

Store it safely and have it collected by a registered waste carrier, who will give you a consignment note and take it to a permitted facility.

Can I burn waste oil on a bonfire?

No. Never burn waste oil on a bonfire or in a stove or drum. Have it collected instead.

Need waste oil collected? BL Oils is based in Doncaster and collects from businesses across all of Yorkshire, plus Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Call or WhatsApp 07785 921493, email info@bloils.co.uk or ask for a free quote. Got an urgent problem? Our phone is answered 24/7: see emergency waste oil collection.

Sources and further reading

Checked against official guidance in October 2026. This guide is general information for businesses in England, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked guidance or ask the Environment Agency if you’re unsure.