A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. With minimal reliance on the utility infrastructure and supplies of a healthcare facility, the method and apparatus needs only electrical or mechanical power, a source of waste anesthetic gases, and an atmospheric vent in order to operate. A heat exchanger/condenser, which uses a dedicated heat transfer fluid as a refrigerant, is employed to condense anesthetic gas components from the waste anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. The warmed heat transfer fluid is cooled in a separate refrigeration unit and recycled back to the heat exchanger/condenser. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a self-contained, packaged unit which can be easily accommodated in a physician's office, small animal clinic, dental office or other healthcare facility requiring effective waste anesthetic gas management.