Coal Tar (AWCCT) Disposal UK

Book Coal Tar Disposal: 0333 121 1056

We specialise in the collection, haulage and compliant disposal of coal tar and asphalt waste containing coal tar across the UK

Coal tar and tar-bound materials remain beneath roads, car parks, footpaths, industrial yards and other surfaces across the UK decades after their widespread use declined.

When these materials are excavated during resurfacing, construction, demolition or infrastructure works, they need to be correctly identified, classified, segregated and managed through an appropriate waste route.

CoalTarDisposal.com provides a straightforward nationwide service for businesses, contractors, local authorities, utilities, civil engineering companies, developers and other organisations requiring the collection, haulage and compliant disposal of coal tar and asphalt waste containing coal tar.

From a single load of road planings to major infrastructure and remediation projects, we can help arrange the appropriate solution.

If you need coal tar disposal in the UK, please call 0333 121 1056 or click here to request a quote.

Nationwide Collection, Haulage & Disposal of Coal Tar and Tar-Bound Materials

What Is Coal Tar?

Coal tar is a dark, viscous material produced as a by-product of the carbonisation of coal.

Historically, coal tar and materials derived from it were valued for their durability, water resistance and binding properties. Combined with the quantities of coal tar generated by Britain's coal gas and coke industries, these characteristics led to its widespread use in construction and infrastructure.

Coal tar is a complex mixture containing numerous chemical compounds. Of particular concern are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which have hazardous and carcinogenic properties.

Coal-tar-containing material uncovered during modern construction or resurfacing projects therefore requires appropriate assessment rather than simply being treated as conventional asphalt or inert construction waste.

How Widely Was Coal Tar Used in the UK?

Coal tar was not an unusual or specialist construction product. It was extensively used on Britain's roads and across its wider infrastructure.
Coal-tar-based binders became particularly associated with tar-bound macadam, from which the familiar term "tarmac" originates.

Historic uses included:

Roads
Car parks
Footpaths
Industrial yards
Factory sites
Airfields
Infrastructure projects
Roofing and waterproofing
Protective coatings
Pipes and industrial structures
Tarred construction products

The scale and longevity of its historic use are why coal tar remains relevant today.

A road may have been resurfaced several times with modern bituminous material while much older tar-bound layers remain underneath.

As a result, apparently modern roads, car parks and other paved surfaces can contain legacy coal-tar materials within their underlying construction layers.

When Was Coal Tar Used in UK Roads?

Coal-tar-based road materials were extensively used during the 20th century, before petroleum-derived bitumen became the dominant binder used in road construction.

Its use progressively declined as bitumen became the preferred alternative and as understanding of the health and environmental risks associated with coal tar and its PAH content grew.

Consequently, older roads and surfaces — particularly those containing construction layers dating from the 1980s or earlier — may warrant further investigation when they are excavated or planed.

However, age alone does not prove the presence of coal tar or establish that waste is hazardous.
Roads are frequently constructed from multiple layers laid at different times. Modern bitumen-based material may therefore sit directly above much older tar-bound material.

Where there is uncertainty, historical information, representative sampling, laboratory analysis and appropriate waste classification may be required.

If you are excavating an older road or car park? Please speak to our team before disposal.

Coal Tar vs Bitumen – What's the Difference?

Coal tar and bitumen are different materials, despite often being confused with one another.

Coal Tar

Coal tar originates from the processing of coal and was historically used as a binder and protective material.

Bitumen

Bitumen is primarily derived from petroleum refining and is the binder predominantly used in modern asphalt.

The difference becomes particularly important when road surfaces are removed.

Bitumen-based asphalt can normally follow different waste-management routes from asphalt waste containing coal tar.

Black road planings should therefore not automatically be assumed to be either hazardous or non-hazardous based simply on their colour or appearance.

How Do I Know If Tarmac Contains Coal Tar?

Visual inspection alone cannot always provide a reliable answer.

Factors that can indicate an increased possibility of coal tar include:

Age of the road or surface
Historic construction records
Older underlying surfacing layers
Previous site-investigation information
Historic industrial activity
Characteristic tar-like odours
Previous laboratory results

However, these indicators do not replace proper waste assessment.

Where classification is uncertain, representative sampling and appropriate laboratory analysis may be necessary.

This is particularly important when road planings are being generated from older roads, car parks, industrial sites, airfields or infrastructure.

Need Coal Tar Testing in the UK? Contact our team: 0333 121 1056

Coal Tar Testing & Laboratory Analysis

Testing can play an important role in determining whether excavated asphalt contains coal tar and how the waste should be classified.

Samples need to be representative of the material being removed.

This is particularly important with road construction because different layers may have been laid decades apart and contain entirely different binders.

Testing may include analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other parameters required to support an appropriate waste classification.

Laboratory results should be considered alongside the waste's composition, origin, site information and applicable waste-classification guidance.

Why Representative Sampling Matters

One road can contain:

Modern bitumen-based surface course
Earlier resurfacing material
Historic tar-bound layers
Different materials used during repairs
Localised patches with different compositions

A single unrepresentative sample may therefore fail to characterise the material across an entire project.
For larger resurfacing and infrastructure projects, appropriate sampling and segregation can be particularly important.

Have Lab results already? Send them with your enquiry; click here.

Coal Tar Waste Classification & EWC Codes

Correct classification is one of the most important elements of compliant coal tar disposal.

For asphalt, bituminous mixtures, coal tar and tarred products, relevant List of Waste codes include:

17 03 01*

Bituminous mixtures containing coal tar

This is a hazardous waste entry.

17 03 02

Bituminous mixtures other than those mentioned in 17 03 01

This is a non-hazardous waste entry.

17 03 03*

Coal tar and tarred products

This is a hazardous waste entry.

The asterisk identifies a hazardous waste entry.

Correct classification should be based upon the material and an appropriate waste assessment rather than assumptions based solely on colour, appearance or age.

Why Is Coal Tar a Hazardous Waste Concern?

Coal tar can contain substances with hazardous properties, including carcinogenic compounds, click for a coal tar disposal quote near you

Coal tar can contain substances with hazardous properties, including carcinogenic compounds.

A principal concern associated with historic road tar is its PAH content.
Material that has remained undisturbed within a road for decades becomes a waste-management consideration when the road or surface is:

Planed
Broken
Excavated
Removed
Crushed
Stockpiled
Transported
Treated
Recovered
Disposed of

At that stage, the material needs to be assessed and managed according to its waste classification and proposed destination.

Correct classification protects workers, the environment and the waste producer while helping prevent material from being sent to a facility that is not authorised to receive it.

Found Suspected Coal Tar During Excavation?

Unexpectedly discovering suspected coal tar can cause significant disruption if an appropriate waste route has not already been established.

One of the most important immediate considerations is segregation.

Do not unnecessarily mix suspected coal-tar material with clean road planings, soil, hardcore or other waste streams.

Mixing hazardous material with otherwise non-hazardous waste can potentially increase the volume of material requiring specialist management, increasing disposal and transport costs.

What to Do If You Find Suspected Coal Tar

Stop and assess the material.
Keep suspected material segregated from other waste streams.
Review existing site-investigation and laboratory information.
Arrange appropriate sampling, testing or classification where required.
Establish an authorised waste route before removing the material from site.
Ensure the movement is accompanied by the appropriate documentation.

Early identification can prevent rejected loads, unnecessary haulage and costly project delays.

Found Coal Tar? Contact us about your disposal options.

Coal Tar Road Planings Disposal

Road resurfacing and reconstruction are among the principal situations in which legacy coal tar is encountered.

Planing or excavation can expose historic layers that have remained beneath subsequent bituminous resurfacing for decades.

We can assist with the collection, haulage and disposal of material generated from:

Highway resurfacing
Road reconstruction
Tar-bound road planings
Asphalt containing coal tar
Car park resurfacing
Footpath reconstruction
Industrial yard excavation
Utility excavations
Trenching works
Infrastructure projects
Brownfield redevelopment
Demolition and site clearance

Whether you have an individual load or thousands of tonnes arising from a larger programme of works, provide us with the information available and we can assess the requirement.

Safe Coal Tar Handling, Segregation & Storage

Once material has been identified or classified as hazardous, appropriate controls are required.

Exact requirements depend on the waste, quantity, activity and site conditions, but considerations can include:

Keeping coal-tar-containing material segregated
Preventing uncontrolled spreading
Controlling dust and debris
Preventing contamination of soil
Protecting drains and watercourses
Suitable storage and containment
Worker exposure controls
Appropriate PPE and site procedures
Preventing unauthorised access
Maintaining accurate waste records

Specific regulatory routes for storing and treating asphalt waste containing coal tar can impose additional requirements, including controls relating to impermeable surfaces and sealed drainage systems.

The correct requirements should therefore be established for the particular activity rather than assuming that ordinary road-planings storage arrangements are suitable.

Plan your coal tar disposal route before excavation starts; click here for a quote.

Coal Tar Haulage & Transportation

Correct waste management does not begin when material reaches the disposal facility.

The movement from the waste producer's site to its authorised destination must also be compliant.

We arrange coal tar haulage throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with transport requirements assessed according to:

Waste classification
Waste type
Quantity
Physical form
Collection location
Loading arrangements
Vehicle access
Receiving facility
Project timescale

Depending on the project, haulage can be arranged for bulk quantities of:

Coal tar road planings
Tar-bound asphalt
Asphalt waste containing coal tar
Excavated tar-containing materials
Coal tar and tarred products
Associated hazardous waste

The waste must be appropriately described and transported to a facility authorised to receive the relevant waste stream.

Get a Coal Tar Haulage and Disposal Price, Click Here

Licensed Coal Tar Disposal Facilities

Not every waste or recycling facility can accept asphalt waste containing coal tar.

An appropriate receiving facility and waste route should therefore be established before material leaves the site.

When assessing the disposal requirement, relevant factors include:

Waste classification
EWC/List of Waste code
Laboratory analysis
Quantity
Physical form
Site location
Facility acceptance criteria
Haulage requirements
Available treatment options
Available recovery routes
Available disposal routes

This becomes particularly important on large projects.

Coal tar can be expensive to transport, so the distance between the excavation site and an appropriate authorised receiving facility can have a substantial impact on overall project costs.

Planning the disposal route before excavation can therefore reduce both commercial risk and project disruption.

Can Coal Tar Road Planings Be Recycled or Recovered?

Potentially — but hazardous asphalt containing coal tar cannot simply be treated in the same way as ordinary recyclable road planings.

There are controlled regulatory routes under which certain asphalt waste containing coal tar (AWCCT) can be stored, treated and used, subject to specific conditions and regulatory requirements.

Depending on the jurisdiction and circumstances, this can include controlled processing and cold recycling for specified construction applications.
Whether a recovery route is appropriate depends upon factors including:

Waste classification
Composition
Treatment process
Facility authorisation
Intended end use
Applicable environmental regulation
Technical specification

Where an appropriate treatment or recovery route is unavailable, the material must be directed to a suitably authorised disposal route.

The objective should be to establish the most appropriate compliant and commercially viable route for the material rather than automatically assuming either recycling or disposal.

Coal Tar Disposal Documentation & Duty of Care

Waste movements require appropriate documentation and traceability.

Where hazardous waste is involved, additional controls apply.

Depending on the country, waste type and circumstances, documentation can include a hazardous or special waste consignment note, together with relevant waste classification, analysis and supporting information.

The documentation creates an audit trail recording information such as:

Waste producer
Collection location
Description of the waste
Waste code
Quantity
Carrier
Destination
Receiving facility
Movement date

Waste producers also have Duty of Care responsibilities and should ensure their waste is passed only to appropriately authorised parties.
Requirements and terminology differ between England, Scotland and Wales, so the relevant national regulatory framework must be followed.

Coal Tar Disposal in England, Scotland & Wales

CoalTarDisposal.com provides nationwide coverage for commercial, construction, industrial and public-sector projects.

Coal Tar Disposal England

We arrange coal tar collection, haulage and disposal throughout England, including:

London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Hull, York, Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Oxford, Reading, Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Brighton, Canterbury, Maidstone, Chelmsford, Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough, Lincoln, Exeter, Plymouth and surrounding towns, cities and counties.

Coal Tar Disposal Scotland

Coverage throughout Scotland includes:

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Stirling, Inverness, Falkirk, Livingston, Fife, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Paisley, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Motherwell, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, Kilmarnock, Ayr, Dumfries, Galashiels and surrounding areas.

Hazardous waste in Scotland is generally referred to as special waste, and movements of Scottish waste must comply with applicable Scottish regulatory requirements.

Coal Tar Disposal Wales

Our Welsh coverage includes:

Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd, Llanelli, Neath, Port Talbot, Carmarthen, Pembroke, Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Bangor, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and locations throughout North, Mid, South and West Wales.

Get a Coal Tar Disposal Quote anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales. Click Here

Who Uses Our Coal Tar Disposal Services?

We work with organisations generating coal-tar-containing material during planned works and unexpected discoveries, including:

Civil engineering contractors
Highway contractors
Road surfacing companies
Groundworkers
Construction companies
Demolition contractors
Utility contractors
Local authorities
Property developers
Facilities managers
Industrial businesses
Environmental consultants
Remediation contractors
Housing associations
Commercial property owners
Infrastructure contractors

Whether coal tar has already been confirmed or you have encountered suspected material during excavation, contact us with the information available.

Reviews of our waste management services

"Enquiry placed with Ross and Craig, Prompt response and competitive price, we needed reliability with regards to our Contracts in and around Nine Elms, London.

Order placed and reliable service on time, and worked into our schedule superbly. Thank you guys."

Mick Taylor, Dewhurst Utility Services.

"Excellent service and very competitive rates. Would highly recommend and will definitely use again. A pleasure doing business with."

Lisa Read, LUX-TSI Limited.

"Asked for support from this company with very short notice after other national organisations were unable to assist. Their experience with the management of waste was exceptional and they followed all policy and regulation around waste management which was of massive importance to a company like ours. Quick Reliable and would recommend them to any organisation looking for any sort of waste removal."

Mark Purvis from the Environment Agency.

"Good communication and efficient collection from 2 separate sites. The two men who collected the waste were professional and courteous—they arrived within the booked timeframe and assisted with the heavier items. Email communication during the booking process was speedy, efficient, and polite. I would recommend this company, easy to use and arrange collection."

Liz Doyle, Facilities Manager, Historic Premises Team at The Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust.

"Excellent service from start to finish. Communication was fantastic throughout, keeping me updated every step of the way and making the whole process straightforward and stress-free.
Professional, reliable and a pleasure to deal with. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend his services and would happily use the company again in the future."

Jo Durrant from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

"I recently worked with Waste Cloud Ltd to remove 51 fridges from the site for recycling, and I couldn’t be more impressed with the service.

From start to finish, the communication and professionalism were excellent. Craig and Ross, the company directors, were extremely helpful and responsive, ensuring everything was well organised. Andrew coordinated the collection seamlessly and managed the pickup with their articulated lorry right on schedule.

The entire process was efficient, well-managed, and carried out safely and responsibly. It’s great to see a company so committed to sustainability and providing reliable waste management solutions.

I’d highly recommend Waste Cloud to anyone looking for a dependable and environmentally conscious waste removal partner."

George Magirescu from Maeve Contractors Ltd.

"Booked a skip to remove small electrical waste and general business waste, the whole process was straightforward and we were provided with the waste carriers' licence, their SEPA license and certificate of disposal. Will certainly use again."

David Motion from Acteon Data and Robotics.

"Excellent. We had a number of fridges collected, the process was simple and the service was professional and prompt. We will definitely be a returning customer and would recommend."

Ellie Tanner, HSE Co-ordinator, S&A Produce (UK) Ltd

"Quick and easy service from the team, collection arranged within two days of contacting. Highly recommend."

Paige Lynch from Speech Graphics.

"Craig and his team were fantastic. They responded quickly to an emergency situation involving a potential hazard, and handled everything with professionalism and efficiency. Communication throughout was excellent. Highly recommend their services!"

Kerri Downie from Thenue Housing Association

How to Get a Coal Tar Disposal Quote

The more information you provide at the outset, the faster we can assess your requirement and establish an appropriate disposal solution.

1. Tell Us Where the Waste Is

Provide the collection postcode, site name and any relevant location information.

2. Tell Us What Material You Have

Provide a description of the material and its approximate tonnage or volume.

Tell us whether it consists of road planings, excavated asphalt, tar-bound material, contaminated material or another coal-tar-containing waste.

3. Send Us Your Laboratory Analysis

If testing has already been completed, provide:

Laboratory analysis
Waste classification reports
Site investigation reports
Sampling information
Relevant photographs

These can help us identify an appropriate receiving route and obtain an accurate quotation.

4. Tell Us About Loading & Access

Let us know:

Whether the material is already excavated
How it will be loaded
Vehicle access
Site opening hours
Access restrictions
Required vehicle type
Any site-specific requirements

5. Tell Us Your Timescale

Provide your expected excavation or collection date and whether the requirement is planned or urgent.

Information That Helps Us Quote Quickly

For the fastest response, send us:

Collection postcode
Waste description
EWC code, if established
Estimated tonnage or volume
Laboratory analysis, where available
Photographs
Site-investigation information, where relevant
Loading arrangements
Vehicle access details
Required collection date

We can then assess the material, transport requirement and appropriate authorised waste route before preparing your quotation.

Other Nationwide Construction and Waste Services

At CoalTarDisposal.com, we don’t just provide coal tar disposal and haulage services – we also offer a complete range of waste management and construction hire solutions for domestic and commercial clients across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Our additional Nationwide services include:

Skip Hire – Affordable skip hire in a range of sizes for household and commercial waste.
RORO (Roll-On Roll-Off) Skip Hire – Large skip containers for bulk waste disposal and major construction projects.
Grab Hire – Perfect for heavy loads of soil, rubble, aggregates, and construction waste.
Muck Away Services – Nationwide muck away, excavated waste removal and aggregate deliveries.
WEEE Collections – Nationwide compliant disposal of electrical waste, IT equipment, and office electronics.
Hazardous Waste Disposal – Safe collection and disposal of hazardous materials, including paints, solvents, and chemicals.
Asbestos Disposal - Domestic and Commercial Asbestos Collection and Disposal Services.
Vape Recycling – Dedicated recycling services for vapes and e-cigarettes, available with collection containers.
Portable Toilet Hire – Event and Construction Site Toilet Hire with Regular Servicing.
Domestic & Commercial Waste Uplifts – One-off and scheduled rubbish removal for homes and businesses.
Wheelie Bin Hire – Reliable, flexible bin collections for businesses of all sizes.
Fridge Recycling – Nationwide compliant collection and recycling of domestic and commercial fridges/freezers.
Television Recycling – Compliant collection and disposal of TVs, monitors, and screens.
Solar Panels Disposal – Compliant collection, disposal, and recycling of solar panels.
Event Bin Hire –Event wheelie bin hire, skips and waste management for events of all sizes across the UK.
Tyre Collections – Nationwide waste tyre collection and disposal.
Concrete Delivery – Concrete Delivery UK – Ready Mix & Volumetric Concrete Delivered Nationwide
Road Sweeper Hire – Keeping sites, car parks, and public spaces clean with modern sweeper hire.