Explosion of laughing gas cylinders costs waste industry millions

The waste industry in the Netherlands has incurred over 50 million euros in damages this year due to exploding laughing gas cylinders, according to the Dutch Waste Management Association (Vereniging Afvalbedrijven). Nearly 10,000 cylinders exploded, almost matching last year's total. While no serious accidents have occurred, workers in garbage trucks and waste processing plants continue to face significant risks.

The explosions are largely attributed to a ban on laughing gas, which took effect in January 2023. Prior to the ban, cylinders could be returned for a deposit, often as much as 30 euros per cylinder. However, since the ban, used laughing gas cylinders have been discarded in streets, public spaces, nature, and waste containers across the country.

The reported damage this year is slightly lower than the 65 million euros incurred in 2023. However, the financial impact remains substantial. The waste association estimates that the annual costs of managing the roughly 400,000 discarded laughing gas cylinders in the Netherlands range between 120 million and 130 million euros—approximately 300 euros per cylinder.

To mitigate the risks, waste processors have had to invest in reinforced glass and protective bars on waste grabber cabins to shield employees from flying debris. In many cases, workers manually separate the cylinders from other waste before processing, and metal shredders and magnets are used to remove them before incineration.

These costs are not covered by insurance, forcing waste companies and municipalities to absorb the financial burden. This may lead to an increase in waste collection fees for residents. The waste management sector has called on the government for more financial assistance and has proposed reintroducing a deposit system for laughing gas cylinders.