Risks of Exploding laughing gas bottles in Waste Facilities

In the past 1.5 years, laughing gas consumption has surged, leading to a growing issue of improper disposal of nitrous oxide (N₂O) tanks. Small cartridges and larger tanks are now frequently seen in public spaces, especially due to the increasing trend of recreational use among young people. Found in parks, streets and roads. Nitrous oxide canisters are more than just litter. They are a growing fire risk in our waste systems.

The recreational use of Nitrous Oxide has also shown environmental and economic concerns. One of the most alarming concerns is how these discarded tanks enter waste facilities. Not everyone disposes of nitrous oxide canisters as hazardous waste. Many simply throw them in the general trash. Or leave them on the street. If not properly handled, they can explode during incineration, causing severe damage, operational downtime, and major safety hazards.

Economic risks

Nitrous oxide explosions at waste facilities come with serious financial consequences. They affect day-to-day operations, push up costs, and create long-term risks for both budgets and compliance.

Explosions can cause severe damage to buildings, equipment, and infrastructure, requiring costly repairs and replacements. Waste processing machinery and stored materials may also be destroyed, adding to financial burdens. Frequent incidents involving nitrous oxide tanks can lead insurance providers to raise premiums or even refuse coverage. Multiple claims for explosion-related damages could result in long-term financial strain, making it harder for waste facilities to recover. This is such a big problem in the industry that private waste facilities are being charged more for insurance, and some are not able to get any insurance at all. 

Operational downtime and financial impact:
In 2024, Oslo’s municipality waste incineration plant experienced 77 days of unplanned shutdown due to nitrous oxide explosions. The total financial damage? 49 million NOK (~€4.2 million) in extra costs for the city source (Source: NRK).

• Explosion frequency:
  The plant registered around 200 explosions in a single year, averaging 3–4 blasts per week caused by gas cartridges hidden in household waste.

• Repair and equipment damage:
  Each explosion damages critical infrastructure, requiring extremely costly repairs and delaying waste processing.

Safety Risks in Waste Facilities

Beyond financial losses, exploding nitrous oxide tanks pose serious safety threats to workers and infrastructure. These incidents are not only dangerous — they are preventable with the right detection and sorting systems in place.

Explosions caused by hidden hazardous materials put frontline workers at direct risk of serious injury. In many cases, these incidents happen without warning, leaving little time to react. By identifying threats early, Litech’s system helps create a safer working environment where employees can operate with greater confidence and fewer disruptions. While nitrous oxide is not flammable on its own, it acts as an oxidizer, intensifying any nearby flames.

This means:

• Small fires spread faster and become harder to control

• Fire chambers and incinerators suffer dents, warping, and heat damage

• The risk of secondary fires or facility-wide shutdowns increases

Explosions in the waste facility can weaken a facility’s building structure, conveyor belts, and sorting equipment. Damaged machinery may malfunction, leading to unexpected failures and an increased risk of accidents.

The solution: Litech and our MIS technology

Litech is in the process of developing what we call the world’s smartest sensor for the waste industry, using magnetic induction spectroscopy and AI to detect flammable batteries and large metallic objects, such as gas bottles and nitrous oxide tanks. This advanced, non-invasive detection system is more cost-efficient and easier to maintain than traditional X-ray technology, making it an ideal solution for modern waste facilities. These hazardous items are often incorrectly discarded and end up in the general waste stream instead of being handled as special waste.

Our technology leverages a combination of electromagnetic induction spectroscopy and machine learning to accurately identify and classify metallic objects. The sensor, easily installed beneath a conveyor belt, transmits and receives magnetic signals, allowing it to differentiate between materials based on their unique electromagnetic properties.

Demo video of Litechs sensor in action. Source: Oslo Kommune, edited by Coleen Castillo.

Pilot Projects

As we continue to develop our technology, we are actively working on expanding our sensor to detect flammable batteries, a major contributor to fires in waste facilities. Currently, Litech is running two pilot projects to test and improve our solution. The first, in collaboration with Norsk Gjenvinning AS and Envac, focuses on detecting and removing large metallic objects, particularly nitrous oxide canisters, from paper and cardboard sorting facilities to achieve cleaner waste fractions.

The second, in partnership with Oslo Municipality and Envac, is designed to detect and remove nitrous oxide tanks before they reach incineration plants, reducing explosion risks, minimizing environmental emissions, and enhancing worker safety. These pilots are an essential step toward a safer, smarter, and more sustainable waste industry, and as we further develop our MIS technology, we aim to create a solution that effectively identifies both metallic objects and hazardous batteries, ensuring a more secure waste management process.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Thanks to our sensor, we can now detect gas bottles even when they’re hidden inside plastic bags, and remove them from the waste stream efficiently. One explosion can cost millions. In just a few months, Litech has identified and removed 175 explosive gas canisters from our pilot project with Oslo Municipality, that is potentially 175 extremely costly incidents prevented! With nitrous oxide consumption continuing to rise and improper disposal becoming an increasing problem, solutions like this are essential for ensuring that waste facilities remain safe and efficient.

In an industry where fires and explosions can happen weekly, and sometimes daily — prevention is not optional. Correct sorting, supported by intelligent detection technology, is no longer just a best practice. It is crucial for worker safety, equipment longevity, and operational continuity.