Laughing gas canisters explode at waste centres hundreds of times a week, firms say

Discarded laughing gas canisters are exploding in waste facilities and risking injury to staff, several major companies tell the BBC.

The high-pressure nitrous oxide metal canisters, which are being used illegally by recreational users, are often discarded in household rubbish, causing significant damage to energy-from-waste plants.

Waste management and recycling companies say they are seeing hundreds of explosions each week, costing millions of pounds to repair damage, and threatening workers' safety.

The government says it is an offence to illegally dispose of canisters and local councils have powers to take enforcement action against offenders.