Fingal County Council spent almost €100,000 to dispose of Nitrous oxide canisters over two years
Almost €100,000 has been spent by Fingal County Council on the clean-up and disposal of nitrous oxide canisters over the past two years.
The council has confirmed that the cost of disposing of each canister is €11. In 2024, approximately 4,900 canisters were collected and disposed of, costing about €53,900. In 2025, around 4,000 canisters were disposed of at a cost of approximately €44,000.
This brings the total cost over the two-year period to €97,900.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used in hospitals under supervision for pain relief; in the food industry as an additive for whipped cream; and in cars to enhance engine performance.
A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said 2026 collection figures are expected to be in line with 2025.
“So it would seem numbers are not increasing year on year but holding steady at approximately 4,000 canisters,” they said.
“Any nitrous oxide canisters collected by litter collection crews are segregated and brought to the respective area recycling centre, where they are stored in a secure unit pending collection by an authorised waste contractor.”
When asked if the council had identified particular areas or communities within Fingal that are most affected by nitrous oxide littering and misuse, the spokesperson said it had not, but noted “an increase in canisters particularly in parks and open spaces throughout the county in general”.
The local authority added that cleansing crews take “all reasonable measures” to collect and remove discarded canisters from public spaces.. It also provides disposal facilities for nitrous oxide canisters at its recycling centres in Coolmine and Estuary.
A study by doctors in the acute medicine department of the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin looked at all discharges of patients found to have misused nitrous oxide between 2020 and 2024. There were 63 discharges linked to the gas misuse during that time
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West Mark Ward, who previously worked in addiction counselling and behavioural therapy, said he has been raising concerns about nitrous oxide misuse for almost six years.
“I have been urging the government to act in regulating its sale to legitimate uses only,” he said.
“Every few weeks we see a new study highlighting the health risks associated with misuse, including nerve and spinal cord damage. The government knows this is an issue. They are allocating millions to dispose of canisters, but they are doing nothing to regulate nitrous oxide.”
Sinn Féin TD Mark Ward holding the nitrous oxide cannisters that are being used for recreational purposes
In April last year, Mr Ward introduced legislation to the Dáil to limit the sale of nitrous oxide to commercial uses only. It passed the first stage. However, he claimed that the legislation has been “delayed”.
The Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Related Products Bill 2025 would also prohibit the sale of nitrous oxide and related products to anyone under the age of 18.
“My legislation, which has been delayed, would not only be cost-saving but could also be lifesaving. I have written to the Minister seeking an update on a proposed national working group to tackle this issue,” he said.
He added: “Why has it taken six years to start paying attention to this? The government needs to get serious about this issue.”