People are being urged to never put gas canisters or pressurised cylinders in household rubbish, recycling, or any public litter bin after a rise in incidents where canisters have exploded during collection and waste processing.
Items of concern include camping and patio gas canisters, small propane/butane cylinders, and nitrous oxide canisters. Even when they feel empty, they can still contain enough pressure to rupture when crushed in a waste vehicle or heated during treatment, creating an explosion risk for crews, site staff and members of the public nearby.
Canisters that enter the waste stream can also reach the county’s Energy Recovery Facility, where compaction and high temperatures can trigger dangerous explosions, causing disruption and damage as well as putting people at risk.
People are being asked:
- Not to place any gas canister in their household waste bin, recycling bin or a public litter bin
- Return empty cannisters to the supplier/retailer where possible
- To take any other disposable cannisters to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) if the site accepts them and where you can follow the site’s safety instructions
- If you’re unsure, keep the item safe and intact and check disposal guidance with your waste/recycling provider before travelling
Andrew Mynors cabinet member for connectivity at Staffordshire County Council, said:
Gas canisters are extremely dangerous if not disposed of correctly. When they are crushed or heated, they can explode without warning. We’re asking people to please avoid putting them in any bin – use the correct disposal route so we can protect our crews, our facilities and the public.”
People can find their nearest where their nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre is and more information on the county council’s website.
