In Prague, such a mischief has spread. People throw large cylinders into black bins for mixed municipal waste, such as bombs from so-called party gases and sometimes others. However, their explosions complicate the energy processing of waste at the ZEVO Malešice incinerator. Prague's utilities therefore remind citizens and visitors that this type of packaging is definitely not something to be discarded willy-nilly. Under certain conditions, large nitrous oxide cylinders will be accepted at collection yards or at some scrap yards. The Ministry of the Environment also reminds producers and distributors that these containers are also subject to the legal obligation to take them back. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by a fine of up to CZK 10 million.
The Czech metropolis is facing a new challenge in waste collection and treatment, a growing number of cylinders and bombs of party gases, especially nitrous oxide, known as "paradise gas". Prague services are therefore urging citizens not to dispose of them in bins. Proven and completely emptied, without a valve and cut, these large nitrous oxide cylinders will be accepted as metal in collection yards or perhaps in some secondary raw materials and metal scrap yards. "Compressed gas cylinders are dangerous because of the high pressure inside. Due to heat or damage, they can explode, cause serious injuries and damage machinery or equipment, which is what is really happening to us at ZEVO Malešice. Unfortunately, there is currently nothing we can do about this on the grounds of the incinerator itself. The possibility of effectively sorting large cylinders from mixed municipal waste in its volume from the whole of Prague does not exist at the moment," says Alexandr Komarnický, spokesman for Prague Services.
Cylinders definitely don't belong in bins
Large pressurized containers such as bulkier gas cartridges, fire extinguishers, propane-butane, oxygen, helium cylinders, nitrous oxide ones and the like usually don't fit through the holes in the grey containers, so people throw them away in the black mix bins. Both are wrong, and it is a gamble on the health and property of others. Mixed municipal waste from the whole metropolis goes to the Malešice ZEVO for energy recovery. Here it is used to generate electricity and heat for around 20 000 households. "However, under certain conditions, explosions of large cylinders can halt the operation of the entire incinerator and significantly endanger the safety of people and the technology used for collection and processing, which can have a negative impact on the entire waste management of the capital city if there is, for example, a prolonged forced shutdown of the incinerator for repairs," Jana Komrsková, deputy mayor for the environment, told .
From the spring of 2023, ZEVO Malešice reports a rapid increase in the number of boiler explosions several times a week. These explosions are caused by incompletely emptied pressure vessels. On average, one boiler is forced to shut down once a month. One such repair costs approximately CZK 100 to 200 thousand. Just to illustrate: in a single week, the incinerator workers are able to find about 120 cylinders in the output slag. Other incinerators in the Czech Republic do not see anything like this. According to experience from abroad, this is an issue in metropolises and large cities where the party gas trade is rampant. "Nitrous oxide, or paradise gas, is being abused for narcotic purposes across Europe, according to publicly available information. There is a lack of take-back of these containers by manufacturers or distributors in the country, in this context we have submitted an initiative to the relevant institutions such as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, or AOS EKO-KOM, and we are also addressing the issue on the basis of cooperation with the ČAObH," explains Aleš Bláha, director of ZEVO Malešice.
Explosions threaten the entire incinerator
The grate and the boiler are designed for a certain overpressure. However, if a larger pressure vessel explodes in an inappropriate position, the grate or the ceramic lined boiler walls can be damaged under certain conditions. This has happened more than once at the Prague ZEVO Malešice, where the boiler had to be shut down and the damaged cast iron grates replaced. After the repairs, the line returned to operation. However, if all the boilers were to be taken out of service at the same time, all mixed municipal waste would have to be diverted to landfill. This is what Prague Services is trying to avoid.
A possible solution is take-back
Prague Services, in cooperation with the Prague City Council, is also looking for the best possible solution for the public. They are working to ensure that nitrous oxide bombs do not end up in mixed municipal waste, as experts say they can be seen as valuable metal that can be recycled indefinitely. Their aim is for citizens to know exactly where to dispose of such waste. Ideally, in the context of take-back, which is based on the principle of the individual responsibility of the producer to ensure that products are disposed of at the end of their useful life.
In response to this matter, the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic has warned entities that place nitrous oxide pressure vessels (especially whipped cream bombs) on the market of the need to comply with the Packaging Act. "In the case of these pressure vessels supplied to final consumers, they are sales packaging for which all obligations must be met, in particular the take-back and recovery of waste from these pressure vessels. In the event that suppliers to the market fail to comply with the obligation to take back or recover waste from packaging, the entity or person in question may be fined up to CZK 10 million," concludes Jan Maršák, Director of the Circular Economy and Waste Department of the Ministry of the Environment.
Alexandr Komarnicky
Spokesperson
+420 704 657 973
