Guidance

Storing and depressurising nominally empty nitrous oxide canisters: RPS 289

Environment Agency regulatory position on the temporary storage and controlled depressurising of nominally empty discarded nitrous oxide canisters.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to have and comply with an environmental permit for a waste operation when you store discarded nitrous oxide canisters and depressurise them. Storage and controlled depressurisation must be at a collection site or a site operated by the waste producer.

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with this legal requirement if you meet the requirements in the RPS.

The regulatory position does not apply to any other legal requirements.

Published 15 November 2023
Last updated 19 December 2023 + show all updates
  1. Things to note section. Corrected 2,600 psi to 435 psi: 'Larger canisters that usually contain 600g of gas have valves and can be pressurised to over 435 psi.'.

  2. First published.