Why are nitrous oxide canisters exploding at Metro Vancouver waste facilities?

High-pressure nitrous oxide canisters are exploding because they are disposed of with regular garbage, and their contents can ignite or rupture under pressure.

How can I safely dispose of whipped cream chargers in Metro Vancouver?

Recycling depots accept these canisters if their valves are removed or if they have puncture holes confirming they are no longer pressurized.

What did Health Canada warn about regarding nitrous oxide?

Health Canada warned consumers about the recreational use of nitrous oxide, noting that products are often deceptively sold and lack safety reviews.

Home / Environment / Laughing Gas Canisters Cause Explosions in Metro Vancouver

Laughing Gas Canisters Cause Explosions in Metro Vancouver

13 Dec

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Summary

High-pressure canisters are causing dangerous explosions at waste facilities.
Recycling depots now accept canisters if valves are removed.
Health Canada recently issued a warning about recreational nitrous oxide use.

Metro Vancouver's waste facilities are encountering a growing problem with high-pressure nitrous oxide canisters, often sold as whipped cream chargers, which are leading to dangerous explosions. These incidents pose a serious risk to waste management workers and have resulted in damage to essential equipment at facilities, including the waste-to-energy plant in Burnaby. The canisters, some significantly large, are being improperly disposed of with regular garbage.

To mitigate these dangers, Metro Vancouver has implemented new disposal guidelines. Recycling depots will now accept these canisters, provided their valves are removed or they have puncture holes confirming the absence of pressure. This measure aims to prevent accidental explosions and ensure safer handling. Officials emphasize that these canisters should not be discarded with general waste due to their immense internal pressure.

The surge in these canisters follows a recent warning issued by Health Canada concerning the recreational use of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Health Canada has been working with border agencies to seize products deceptively marketed and sold, sometimes with unpermitted flavored gases, raising concerns about their safety and widespread availability.