Nitrous oxide canisters, commonly known as "laughing gas," are causing significant disruptions at UK energy-from-waste plants. The pressurized canisters explode when incinerated, forcing furnace shutdowns that halt electricity generation and create safety hazards for plant workers.

Energy-from-waste facilities process approximately 10 million tonnes of UK waste annually, generating electricity for around 1 million homes. The rising popularity of nitrous oxide canisters, particularly among young people for recreational use, has increased contamination of household waste streams with these hazardous containers.

Fact: UK energy-from-waste plants processed 10.8 million tonnes of waste in 2022.

The explosions cost the industry millions of pounds yearly in repairs and lost productivity. Plant operators now invest in advanced sorting technology and manual inspection teams to identify and remove canisters before incineration. Some facilities have implemented specialized pressure-release systems to mitigate explosion risks when contamination occurs.