Wisbech teacher Tim Chapman collects nitrous oxide canisters to protect the environment.
He also collects smaller, silver canisters. These are often in lay-bys and pull-offs. People inhale nitrous oxide in cars, then throw the canisters away. Tim once found 300 small canisters in Coldham.
Tim, who is 60, grew tired of seeing the trash. He worried about dangers to road users and kids picking them up. Each steel canister weighs 1.4 kg. He has collected a third of a tonne.
Tim gathered the canisters from fields and roadsides. Many still had gas inside. Tim makes them safe by dismantling them, as they remain dangerous if pressurized. Tim advises people not to handle them.
Tim lives in King’s Lynn now. He regularly cycles to Wisbech and March to help the environment. He spots canisters on his routes and decided to do something about it.
He picks up single canisters in his backpack. If there are many, he uses his car. He tweaks his routes to collect them. He once picked up 17 at Roman Bank.
Tim thinks the canisters are being marketed poorly. He believes companies are not targeting the catering trade. It is illegal to misuse nitrous oxide. This gas is now a Class C drug.
Unlawful possession can lead to fines or community service. Repeat offenders could face jail time. Supplying the drug can mean 14 years in prison. Nitrous oxide has legal uses too.
It is used for whipped cream and pancakes. Tim says it is too easy to buy for misuse and points out the names on some canisters. Names like “Miami Magic” imply misuse.
Tim wants to raise awareness about side effects. These include low blood pressure, fainting, heart attack, and paralysis. Sudden death can also occur. Tim saw someone inhale it in Wisbech.
The man was carefree in the street. Tim suggests enforcing the law and a deposit scheme for canisters. That might encourage returns.
Tim plans to scrap the canisters he collected. They contain steel and brass. He will use the money for dismantling tools.