[GazM]

We're about to replace our old oil boiler with a biomass (wood pellet) system, so we need to get rid of our oil tank (because it will be redundant, and because its on a concrete plinth that the external boiler is going to go on). The only complication is that it still has a fair bit of oil in.

We were told the local scrap merchant would come and take it but they won't.  So we're struggling to find someone to 1. pump out and take away the remaining oil, and 2. remove the tank. Perferably the same person would do both jobs, but it's looking unlikely...

Does anyone have any experience of who can help?  This can't be a unique problem!

[SA Chris]

Put the oil on gumtree?

[tomtom]

Do you have a diesel car? If so....

[GazM]

Hmmm, gumtree's not a bad shout.  Excuse my ignorance, but is domestic heating oil the same as motor deisel?! Or do deisel cars just burn any old crap?

A colleague has told me if in doubt, phone the council.  Fingers crossed...

[SA Chris]

If gumtree fails there's always freecycle.

[Doug]

I know that with industrial removal, the tanks have to be cleaned first which can cost more than the value of the remaining oil and possibly more than the value of the tank too.

My employer has used these, but don't know if they do domestic: http://www.eco-oil.eu.com/

Otherwise a quick Google search brings up examples such as:
http://www.kingtanktechnic.co.uk/services/domestic-tank-removal.shtml
http://www.tankservices.co.uk/oil-tank-removal-service/i15.htm
But I have no experience of using them. Other service providers are available, buyer beware etc.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

I think heating oil is quite a bit heavier than diesel. Unless you drive a tractor I'd be wary of putting in your car. Also if it's an old tank it's likely to be a mixture of oil, water, rust, dead animals etc.

[tomtom]

I think heating oil is quite a bit heavier than diesel. Unless you drive a tractor I'd be wary of putting in your car. Also if it's an old tank it's likely to be a mixture of oil, water, rust, dead animals etc.

Yeah - I'd avoid the dregs... some diesels deal with it better than others apparently... I'd be wary of putting it in a nice new car, but if you have an old merc oil burner!!

You can stick veg oil from the supermarket in a diesel - most will take it fine if you mix it 50/50 or so with regular diesel - or apparently a couple of drops of fairy liquid per l if you're using it neat

Pump/drain it out into jerry cans (20l ones are about £15 from memory) and give it to someone who wants it (or may pay you for it..?)

[Doug]

If your tank holds more than 3,500l then disposal may fall under Pollution Control regs and can only be legally done with someone with the appropriate environmental permits. 

Someone on here should be able to advise you better: http://www.oilrecyclingassociation.co.uk/waste-disposal-service-providers/

[Bubba]

Also https://www.dptanks.co.uk/domestic-heating-oil-tanks/