Earlier this year, I posted about large nitrous oxide cylinders entering the waste stream in our region in significant quantities. While nitrous oxide is used for food processing and auto racing, it is also known as laughing gas and provides a sense of calm and euphoria when inhaled. These cylinders have caused explosions at the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy facility, damaging equipment and jeopardizing worker safety.
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| Post Combustion Nitrous Oxide Cylinders. Select the image to enlarge. |
As a result, the Metro Vancouver Regional District provides free recycling for all single-use valved cylinders (not just nitrous oxide), whether gas-filled or empty, at its recycling and waste facilities.
As I posted, the Regional District would like to see the federal government prohibit the import and sale of large single-use valved nitrous oxide cylinders.
As you may know, most of the recycling programs in BC are funded by industry through the BC Extended Producer Responsibility program. For example, curbside recycling for detached homes and non-strata townhomes in Langley City is managed by Recycle BC.
Currently in BC, you can recycle empty aerosol spray containers used for cosmetic/beauty, health products, food, afresheners, and cleaning. An example would be shaving cream. The provincial government is expanding the Extended Producer Responsibility program to include more types of aerosol spray containers, small propane cylinders, and spray foam canisters. The Metro Vancouver Regional District would like to see nitrous oxide cylinders added to this expanded program.
Right now, it costs the regional district about $60 to recycle a nitrous oxide cylinder. Based on a quick Internet search, the cost of recycling is about the same as the price of a new, filled, larger-sized nitrous oxide cylinder.
I’m hoping that the province will add nitrous oxide cylinders to an expanded Extended Producer Responsibility program.
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