[     News listing ](/blog-page "  News listing")

 13 Oct. 2026 



 

 

 

## We have committed to help police forces across England and Wales tackle the growing challenge of nitrous oxide by degassing and disposing of seized canisters. <a id="findoutmore"></a>



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





## A growing environmental challenge

Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas used across different industries from manufacturing and automotive to food processing and medicine. It’s most notably used as a painkiller and in cooking to produce whipped cream.

But since the pandemic, its recreational use has risen sharply, particularly among 16 to 24-year-olds. And its growing use has consequences far beyond the individual.

Nitrous oxide is harmful to the atmosphere. In fact, it’s three times more harmful than carbon dioxide. It can remain in the air for 114 years, damaging the ozone layer and allowing more harmful solar radiation to reach our planet.

The metal canisters used to contain the gas create a further risk when they are thrown away. If they enter the household-waste stream, they can explode at energy recovery facilities, damaging equipment and interrupting electricity production. In 2025 alone, explosions caused by discarded canisters resulted in 745 hours of plant downtime across our sites.

The problem doesn’t end there. Canisters left on streets and in neighbourhoods become litter; this poses risks to children and wildlife and increases public clean-up costs.



 

 

 



 

 

   ![Close up of nitrous oxide canister](/sites/g/files/dvc1681/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/image/2026/10/DSC00128.jpg.webp?itok=tgO9nSys)   





 

 

 





 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 





## Increased pressure on police

Since nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C drug, police seizures of canisters have risen sharply. Safe disposal is essential.

BlueLight Commercial, which supports emergency services with procurement, has introduced a new framework for nitrous oxide disposal services.

Under the BLC0249 Framework, Veolia has been selected as a specialist supplier for collection, transport, degassing and incineration of nitrous oxide canisters.



 

 

 



 

 

 

 





## Our unrivalled capabilities

In 2024, we launched the UK’s first treatment process for nitrous oxide canisters at our hazardous waste facility in Birmingham.

We safely empty the canisters and separate the nitrous oxide into nitrogen and oxygen. This can then be released harmlessly into the atmosphere. The canisters are then recycled properly.

We handle canisters from 605g to 2,500g and are one of only a few suppliers offering a full service covering collection, transport, degassing and incineration.



 

 

 



We deal with canisters of varying sizes, from **605g to 2500g**



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Since 2024, we've processed **304,000 canisters** at our facility in Birmingham



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

We are **preventing** the equivalent of **100te of CO2 per day**



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 









 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 





   ![Degassing a nitrous oxide canister](/sites/g/files/dvc1681/files/styles/media/public/image/2026/10/DSC00121_0.jpg.webp?itok=EbeoygyJ)   





 

 



 

"The disposal of nitrous oxide is a growing challenge in the waste industry and an issue we’re working hard to tackle through our innovative solutions and through wider education and engagement.

“We know this challenge is putting additional pressure on our police forces and I am pleased that through this framework, we can help relieve some of that strain by offering a compliant, efficient and environmentally responsible service.

“By safely treating nitrous oxide through our hazardous waste facility, we can offset the damage this causes to our energy recovery facilities, limit the environmental impact and return the metals from the canisters back into the circular economy."

**Debbie Revell, Head of Sales, Hazardous Waste at Veolia UK**



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 





 

 

 

 





## Supporting procurement in the public sector

Public sector organisations face the challenge of optimising funds while maintaining service quality.

Through our framework agreements with leading partners, eligible organisations can access a fully compliant procurement route for a wide range of services.



 

 

 







 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 





## Have a question about hazardous waste treatment? 

Speak to our specialist hazardous waste team and find out how we can support your business needs.

[Contact us](https://www.veolia.co.uk/hazardous-waste-new-customer-enquiry)