Nitrous oxide cannisters as litter

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, has several uses. In medicine, it serves as a pain reliever and aesthetic, often administered with oxygen, especially during childbirth or trauma as well as being used in dentistry and by paramedics. It's also used in the food industry as a propellant in whipped cream canisters.

Less positively, nitrous oxide is used recreationally, often inhaled from balloons. This is dangerous due to the risk of oxygen deprivation and other health hazards and as a result nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug in November 2023.

We are aware of its use recreationally in the local area and a number of litter pickers have reported finding nitrous oxide cannisters in the last year. This is an example of what they look like, although they are usually found without a balloon still attached The canisters are about 30 cm long and weigh circa 1.5 kg empty

What to do if you find a nitrous oxide cannister

Report it to Wokingham Borough Council

As an aerosol cannister these need safe disposal rather than just putting them in a litter or wheelie bin.

Wokingham Borough Council have asked that they are reported to them as fly tipping for safe and separate collection from other litter – you could use the fix my street app.

Report it to Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police are aware of the use of nitrous oxide locally and share our concerns about this. They ask that any findings are reported on their non emergency website, using the following link: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/report-crime-incident-suspicion/ and entering "other" and "other" as the category.

We would be grateful, therefore, If you could report any nitrous oxide canister finds when litter picking to both keep our community tidy and safe.