Nitrous oxide cylinders require special handling to keep workers safe and protect the environment. Do not put them in the garbage or blue bin.
Find a recycling location
Metro Vancouver accepts all nitrous oxide cylinders for recycling, free of charge, at our
recycling and waste centres.
To find a recycling location:
At the recycling depot, please speak to a staff member to confirm where to safely place the cylinders.
Collection bins for nitrous oxide cylinders at a Metro Vancouver recycling and waste centre.
About nitrous oxide cylinder recycling
Protect worker and public safety by keeping nitrous oxide cylinders, or whipped cream chargers, out of the garbage. These cylinders can remain pressurized even when empty. They can cause explosions under heat or pressure, like in a garbage truck’s compactor or at the Waste-to-Energy Facility.
Nitrous oxide canisters that have shown up at Metro Vancouver waste facilities, including ones that are suspected to have caused explosions.
Since Metro Vancouver started accepting nitrous oxide cylinders, hundreds are being dropped off for recycling each month. Thank you for helping keep our solid waste system safe and efficient!