Nitrous oxide waste rises despite laughing gas ban

Discarded laughing gas (nitrous oxide) cylinders are turning up in growing numbers at Belgian recycling parks, despite a federal ban on recreational use.

Waste processors warn that the trend is leading to dangerous explosions and costly damage, with the impact increasingly felt by local authorities.

Figures from the Flemish government show a 35% increase in the number of laughing gas cylinders collected at recycling parks over the past year. In total, more than 114,800 cylinders were taken across Flanders.

The ban on recreational use, in force since April 2024, has failed to stop the flow. Large cylinders are frequently found among waste or discarded in public spaces, showing that illegal use remains widespread.

When pressurised cylinders enter incinerators, they can explode. These explosions damage installations and pose serious risks to workers. Repairs and safety measures add to the operating costs, which fall on municipalities to pay.

Although possession, transport and sale of laughing gas for recreational use are illegal, enforcement remains difficult. Laughing gas can still be bought for legitimate purposes, often with limited or no checks on how it will be used.

Belgian authorities and waste companies are calling for tighter controls on sales, such as those on online platforms, and stronger enforcement against illegal distribution. They also want more prevention campaigns and support for detection systems at waste facilities to increase safety.