COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

MOTION NO.5

MOTION: Councillor William Joseph Carey

Cathaoirleach's Business

That this committee agrees that given the prevalence of pressurized nitrous oxide cannisters being discarded in the Clondalkin area that South Dublin County Council advise of a safe way for their disposal when found by members of the public and to indicate what supports can be offered either by way of a public information statement or direct instruction by South Dublin County Council to help the public in the disposal of these items.

REPORT:

As has been reported previously nitrous oxide has many legitimate uses such as in both the catering industry and in dentistry, the substance itself is not harmful when used appropriately it is only when used in an inappropriate manner that it poses a risk to the user. The cannisters are not considered to be drug paraphernalia in the way that used syringes are for example, and while the Council discourages the general public from handling used syringes for health and safety reasons the same concerns and risks do not apply to nitrous oxide cannisters.   

The Council has made contact with a number of the large household waste operators about this matter (collectors and facility operators), we have been advised that it is acceptable to place used nitrous oxide containers in the general waste bin, they are then extracted during the waste treatment process and recycled as metal. Alternatively they can be deposited directly into the metal recycling stream at a recyling centre.