The cylinders being dumped across the city despite the risks they pose

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-04-28T06:00:07Z","datePublished":"2026-04-28T06:00:07Z","description":"While smaller silver “nang” chargers are better recognised, three-kilogram nitrous oxide canisters are becoming more common. They come with higher environmental and health risks.","headline":"The cylinders being dumped across the city despite the risks they pose","keywords":"Waste, Local council, Drugs, Rubbish, City of Melbourne ","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Gemma Grant","jobTitle":"City reporter","url":"/by/gemma-grant-p537jv"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-cylinders-being-dumped-across-the-city-despite-the-risks-they-pose-20260310-p5o91w.html","@type":"WebPage"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"1322.6666666666665","url":"https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.18139773895169578%2C$multiply_0.7025%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_35/t_crop_custom/q_86%2Cf_auto/ea94785f163a1151da37cf895d532981de62a55f","width":"744"},"isAccessibleForFree":false,"hasPart":[{"@type":"WebPageElement","isAccessibleForFree":false,"cssSelector":".paywall"}],"publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"628","url":"https://www.smh.com.au/metro-assets/assets/static/smh.png","width":"1200"},"url":"https://www.smh.com.au"},"isPartOf":{"@type":["CreativeWork","Product"],"name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","productID":"smh.com.au:webonly"}}{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/national","name":"National"},"position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria","name":"Victoria"},"position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/topic/waste-hup","name":"Waste"},"position":3}]}AdvertisementNationalVictoriaWasteThe cylinders being dumped across the city despite the risks they poseGemma GrantApril 28, 2026 — 4:00pmSaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareAAAThey’re big, metallic, often wrapped in colourful plastic packaging and, increasingly, they’re being dumped on the side of the road or left leaning on public bins.Tens of thousands of nitrous oxide canisters are being illegally disposed of around Melbourne as environmental and health experts warn of mounting risks.ReSource co-founder Troy Rowe says the recycling service receives thousands of nitrous oxide canisters. Jason SouthWhile officially a tool used to aerate cream, the gas cylinders are commonly used recreationally as a party drug known as “nangs”.While the smaller silver cream chargers are better recognised, the larger three-kilogram canisters are becoming more and more popular. However, drug advocacy experts say they carry a higher risk because they hold more doses, and therefore run the risk of increased use.AdvertisementEach canister weighs around three kilograms. Jason SouthThe disposal of the canisters is also a difficult process. Each one is highly pressurised and cannot be thrown out in household or public bins due to the risk of explosion.E-waste recycling service ReSource in Derrimut is one of the few places equipped to handle the canisters in Victoria. Unlike a regular facility, its specialised machinery is strong enough to absorb potential explosions that come from piercing the pressurised…

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