Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a greenhouse gas 273 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. With thousands of canisters entering Ireland's waste stream from healthcare, catering, and other sectors, the environmental impact is significant and until now, there has been no local treatment solution.
At Veolia, we've developed Ireland's first on-island nitrous oxide treatment system. We've adapted hospital-grade catalytic technology for industrial-scale application, ensuring the system meets Ireland's regulatory, environmental, and operational requirements.
This pioneering solution eliminates the need to export canisters abroad for treatment, reducing logistics emissions while providing Irish organisations with a cost-effective, sustainable alternative.
Safe, efficient and sustainable treatment
Veolia’s solution uses advanced catalytic decomposition to break down nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen and oxygen, the same elements that make up the air we breathe. This process is not only highly effective but also remarkably efficient.
This approach delivers immediate, tangible benefits:
99% conversion rate: virtually complete elimination of nitrous oxide
Energy self-sufficient: the heat generated during decomposition sustains the reaction
Massive carbon reduction: capable of processing up to 470 canisters and 500 ampoules daily, preventing approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions annually
Net carbon-avoidance efficiency exceeding 99.5%: one of the most sustainable waste treatment solutions available
Local treatment: eliminates the environmental cost and complexity of exporting waste overseas
With Ireland's climate policies increasingly focused on emissions reduction across all sectors, Veolia’s N20 treatment solution is an important enabler of sustainable waste management.
Proven expertise delivered locally:
- Comprehensive waste collection and logistics to safely transport nitrous oxide canisters and ampoules
- State-of-the-art treatment facility operated by skilled engineers and technicians
- Full compliance and reporting to meet environmental regulations and sustainability targets
- Transparent, reliable service with ongoing support and performance monitoring
From initial assessment and waste stream analysis to ongoing collection and treatment, we provide turnkey solutions, ensuring optimal environmental performance, regulatory compliance, and meaningful progress towards your decarbonisation targets.