Somerset Council issues summer warning over gas canister disposal

Somerset Council and its waste contractor, SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK, are urging residents not to include gas canisters in kerbside recycling bins following a recent near miss at a recycling sorting facility. Thanks to quick thinking and well-trained staff, the facility avoided a potentially destructive fire.

Over recent months, canisters have caused several fires at sorting centres, with the latest incident narrowly avoided thanks to the swift actions of site staff. It could have led to catastrophic damage if not for their rapid response.

From January to early July 2025, nearly 1,500 gas canisters, likely discarded after barbecues and camping trips, ended up in the council’s blue recycling bags.

“We cannot express enough the importance that gas canisters are not put in residents’ recycling or rubbish,” said Matthew Canning, Contract Director – Somerset at SUEZ.

“In fact, we had a fire last Friday that could have easily burnt down the facility, if it wasn’t for our highly trained and vigilant staff members putting it out. … It is only a matter of time before this happens due to the amount of canisters in the recycling.”

These incidents mirror wider trends seen across Somerset: since May 2023, more than 2,500 canisters have been recovered at recycling sites—each one representing a potential explosion risk when crushed during processing

“The dangers are very real as this latest incident proved. These canisters are pressured and can spark an explosion when crushed,” added Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste. “We’ve already had four fires in a month—fortunately dealt with quickly—but we need residents to take extra care by making sure they do not put canisters in any of their collection containers.”

Steve Fisher, Community Risk Manager at Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue, reiterated the broader danger of improperly disposed items:

“Improper disposal of these items poses serious risks to the safety of firefighters and waste collection crews. … We also urge the public to ensure that items containing lithium-ion batteries—such as electronic devices and vapes—are recycled correctly. … these items can explode if crushed by refuse collection vehicles.”

Residents are advised to:

Take small gas canisters to any of Somerset’s 16 household recycling sites and hand them to site staff

Empty aerosols (e.g. deodorant, hairspray) can be safely recycled in blue bags—they hold less pressure and pose less risk

Dispose of lithium-ion batteries and vapes at recycling centres or follow guidance provided on the** council website**