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We are thrilled to announce that PSH Environmental and UNTHA UK took home the coveted Recycling Facility of the Year award at the prestigious MRW National Recycling Awards, in London last week, having been shortlisted in three categories earlier this year.

This incredible achievement celebrates PSH Environmental’s groundbreaking facility in Norwich, where solar energy innovation meets advanced material recovery. At the heart of this award-winning operation is the UNTHA XR3000C electric-drive shredder, which processes up to 150,000 tonnes of waste annually and runs on solar energy generated by the site’s 798 solar panels.

PSH Environmental’s facility has achieved remarkable milestones, transforming challenging waste streams into high-calorific refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and biomass for local energy plants. The site diverts 100% of non-recyclable waste from landfills, providing sustainable solutions for the region’s waste challenges while contributing to the UK’s renewable energy goals.

Nigel Parker, director of PSH Environmental, shared his excitement on the night: “We are absolutely overjoyed! This award means the world to our family business. This particular category felt like such a big one, and to take this trophy home is fantastic. Our partnership with UNTHA has been key to our success, and we couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved together.”

This honour is a testament to the pioneering spirit and collaboration between PSH Environmental and UNTHA UK. By investing in innovative solutions such as the UNTHA XR3000C, which uses 75% less energy than diesel-hydraulic alternatives, PSH Environmental has saved approximately £100,000 annually in disposal costs and significantly reduced its environmental footprint.

Speaking about the accolade, Marcus Brew, managing director of UNTHA UK, said: “We couldn’t be prouder to see PSH Environmental receive this well-deserved recognition – especially given the exceptional quality of this year’s competition. This project is a shining example of how the right technology, paired with forward-thinking ambition, can drive real change in the recycling industry. This is what the future of waste management looks like, and we are delighted to be part of it.”

We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire PSH Environmental team for this well-deserved commendation.

Here’s to more award-winning collaborations!

There has been high demand for UNTHA UK’s service plans recently, with 10 contracts secured in the last few weeks alone.

Half are renewals, with already-satisfied customers continuing to take proactive care of their industrial shredders. The others represent successful new enquiries from organisations that haven’t previously prioritised a preventative maintenance approach, or customers who have recently purchased new machines and have selected a service plan to run in line with their warranty.

Either way, the decisions mean that these firms now have a carefully considered service plan tailored to the needs of their business, wrapped into a pre-agreed contract and budget. They have access to ongoing support from UNTHA’s own highly experienced engineers – who know these shredders inside out – plus complete peace of mind that the running condition of their asset is not just protected, but optimised, for even greater ROI. 

Julie Cassidy – a trusted advisor and familiar face in UNTHA UK’s aftersales department – explains: “Our shredders are built to last and engineered for maintenance simplicity. But sometimes life gets in the way and operators overlook the importance of routine service and maintenance tasks, however straightforward. Even with the best intentions, we see so many internal plans slip. That means that even if the shredders appear to be running fine, they aren’t performing as efficiently as they could. 

“With our service plans, the goal is to maximise uptime, energy efficiencies, and output quality, to name just a few. When we’re on site, we’re looking for anything that – if left unaddressed – could lead to an issue or breakdown. And our service plans can even include parts packages so customers receive exactly what they need, when they need it – plus operator training refresher sessions to keep new and existing colleagues’ minds fresh, and shredding practices safe. 

“It’s also part of our commitment to looking after customers, long after the sale. And the recent uplift in demand for service plans show that businesses appreciate the peace of mind from both an operational and budgeting point of view. Who wouldn’t want better performance for a pre-agreed budget?!”

Amid the uncertainty of today’s economic landscape, businesses are more focused than ever on maximising their investments. And, at UNTHA UK, we understand the importance of ensuring that your shredder continues to deliver value multiple years down the line. 

Our commitment to being your shredding partner long after the sale is not just a slogan – it’s a promise backed by action. Our team of expert engineers and colleagues at UNTHA UK’s Boroughbridge HQ, is dedicated to prioritising the customer experience at every stage of the journey. That’s why we’re proud to offer a free shredder health check for our valued clients.

Parts and maintenance sales executive, Julie Cassidy, explains: “This seven-point assessment will be carried out by one of our experienced engineers, on the customer’s site, taking just one hour of your time. During this assessment, they will review every aspect, from the mechanical and electrical safety systems to the integrity of the cutters, the shredder’s drive, and all cabling. And here’s the best part – the health check won’t cause any machine downtime whatsoever.

The findings will then be collated in a clear, concise report with next step recommendations. Hopefully we’ll find the machines in optimum working order, but 90% of the time our knowledgeable customer service team can identify ways to improve the running condition or performance of the technology.

Every shredder health check will include the following:

• Operational and visual assessment of mechanical and electrical safety systems

• Visual check of electrical cabling and panels for signs of damage, wear and water ingress

• Visual cutter system audit, with change, turn and adjustment recommendations as applicable

• Visual inspection of your drive system

• Visual check of pusher system (if applicable)

• Oil level/leak checks

• Audible examination of the running of the machine

“In instances of low upkeep, we may need to recommend a more detailed shredder inspection.,” continues Julie. “But all of our advice will be included in our engineers’ post-health check report. Think of this as a shredder MOT – without the price tag!”

Our people are important to us at UNTHA UK. After all, without their knowledge and expertise, we would be unable to deliver the five-star customer service that we’re so famous for. 

So, each month, we pepper a different colleague with 10 quickfire questions, to showcase why they play such an important and valued part of our growing team. 

Next up, it’s service manager, Ben Styles. Over to you, Ben! 

How did you first get into the world of shredding? 

My close friend, Paul Collins, started his engineering role with waste baler provider Riverside Waste Machinery in 2009. At the time, it was the sole provider of UNTHA shredders in the UK. I was a self-employed engineer, and Paul approached me for some contract work, which I carried out in 2011. Shortly afterwards, Riverside sold its shredder division to UNTHA — this subsidiary became known as UNTHA UK. I was offered a job as service engineer by Chris Oldfield, the (then) director. I gladly accepted, and the rest is history…

What’s the one skill or quality that helps you succeed in the UNTHA environment?  

The ability to listen. Sometimes the customer simply wants to talk, and in some instances, an operator may explain a problem better than the main point of contact. Colleagues in the workplace might also make a great suggestion about utilising the machinery without realising it.

Name one highlight from your UNTHA tenure so far. 

The big screen! We installed a four shaft shredder on the set of a TV show — a little different from the waste sites we typically visit!

How do you unwind at the end of a busy day at work? 

It depends what I’m in the mood for — rehearsing with my band, working on my Nissan Micra restoration, repairing retro games consoles, or watching terrible sci-fi movies.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received? 

Don’t feel like you have to take everything on. Delegate, where possible. It eases your own workload, as well as challenging other people to elevate their own skill set.

Which machine is your favourite from the UNTHA shredder range, and why? 

The XR mobile — an evolution of the static XR shredder. This machine has been a runaway success in the last few years. Being all electric and very well constructed, it is a popular machine in the UK market, and holds its value extremely well. 

UNTHA has a number of divisions scattered all over the globe — Austria, Poland, Iberica, and Türkiye, to name a few. If you weren’t a trusty fixture at the UK branch, which business would be next on your work hit list? 

UNTHA America. I trained with US-based engineer, Frank Payson, and quickly realised they have a relatively small – yet very successful – workforce in contrast with the size of the market. As such, it would be fantastic to knowledge-share with the American team.

What do you think makes UNTHA’s service such a hit with our customers?
We always strive to provide unrivalled support, even at short notice. As a team, we are constantly planning ahead, while remaining fluid enough to respond to urgent customer requests when required. Strong communication and a holistic strategy enable us to deliver on our objectives every time. 

What’s your main hope for UNTHA UK over the next year or so?

We have an excellent team, thanks to some informed changes and new additions in 2023 — coupled with an updated business platform. I wholeheartedly believe UNTHA UK is poised for further growth and success in 2024.

And finally, what’s your main environmental hope for the UK as a whole?
I was thinking about this only yesterday! I drove past Drax Power Station, where biomass is now the sole material for generating electricity. When I grew up in Drax in the 1980s, the process was entirely driven by fossil fuels — and was quite inefficient too. 

In the mid-90s, the Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) plant was initiated. Thanks to the conversion to biomass, it’s no longer required. What a great example of modernising an old fashioned process — and cleaning up its act. I’m looking forward to seeing more outdated approaches being revitalised to suit new requirements. 

Amid a landscape seemingly marked by advancements in waste management, recent research from Material Focus paints a nuanced picture of the UK’s relationship with waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Despite a reported 34% decrease since 2017 in the total number of electrical items thrown away, and a commendable 60% recycling rate for electrical items, the reality beneath the surface is far from a simple success story. The decreasing size and weight of our electronic gadgets may give the illusion of progress, but as we delve deeper, it becomes apparent that the fast tech culture is driving a complex and growing ‘waste’ issue.

New disposal dilemmas 

Material Focus, through a survey conducted by Opinium Research, reveals that a staggering 471 million ‘fast tech’ items end up in UK landfills each year. And that’s only a proportion of the 100,000 tonnes of e-waste we throw away annually.

Among the items rendered redundant are:

• 260 million disposable vapes

• 30 million LED, solar, and decorative lights

• 26 million cables

• 10 million USB sticks

• 7 million cordless headphones

• 5 million mini fans

Disposing of electrical items is a multifaceted challenge. Most devices contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium, precious metals like gold, and brominated flame retardants. If discarded with general refuse, these dangerous chemicals can leak into landfills, putting human, wildlife, and environmental health at risk. As such, they need to be broken down into individual components in order to be handled safely.

But that’s not all. Last year, more than 700 fires in bin lorries and recycling centres were caused by batteries that had been dumped in general waste. This inherent fire risk has had a knock-on impact on the waste industry, with insurance premiums skyrocketing and expensive safety systems now a prerequisite too. And that’s before we think about the potentially devastating consequences that such fire breakouts can have.

It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that approximately 40% of UK households harbour an average of 30 unused electrical items each. Whether it’s laziness, uncertainty surrounding correct disposal, or hesitance to step a foot wrong, these items now sit at the back of drawers gathering dust. And the issue is only being exacerbated by compact, low cost, fast tech items that fuel our search for ‘bigger and better’. 

The reality is, within these vast volumes of e-waste lie valuable materials that can be effectively liberated, segregated, and recycled.

The hidden value of redundant tech 

Let’s firstly remind ourselves that, in line with the Waste Hierarchy, preventing tech waste is the ultimate priority. If such material continues to be produced, reuse and refurbishment is the next best option, followed by recycling, recovery, and finally, safe disposal as the absolute last resort. Leveraging the components housed inside ‘redundant’ fast tech therefore plays a key role in driving our circular economy – providing it no longer has a useful life.

In terms of exactly how to retrieve these high-value resources, the manual breakdown of equipment, carried out by a certified professional, is one option.Naturally, this can be a very time-consuming and labour-intensive process. Depending on the waste stream and relevant regulatory frameworks, mechanical processing might therefore be better suited.

UNTHA’s shredders liberate high-value components that would otherwise remain ‘locked’ inside equipment. Shredding these down to a smaller, consistent fraction size enables them to be segregated with ease, before being separated for resale and recycling.

While shredding helps relieve metals of contaminants to boost the quality of the yield, sophisticated downstream segregation and separation equipment also boosts the tonnage from the line. So, beyond the environmental benefits, it makes commercial sense too.

Government initiatives take centre stage

The waste industry is no stranger to stringent regulations. But as we confront the allure of ‘fast tech’, environmental repercussions are setting the stage for tighter measures.

Recognising the urgency, the government has embarked on a consultation as part of the Resources and Waste Programme for England. This initiative aims to reform EU regulations on WEEE disposal, paving the way for a more reliable and efficient framework for households, producers, and retailers alike. The goal is to tackle the shocking 155,000 tonnes of smaller household electricals discarded annually and, in the process, mitigate the number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries in discarded WEEE.

The ‘fast tech’ challenge is undeniably complex. Acknowledging the hidden costs of our disposable culture is the first step towards achieving a more sustainable relationship with innovation. With strategic adjustments at various levels, from personal choices to systemic reforms, we can collectively shape a future where the technological advancements we cherish don’t come at the expense of our environment.

At UNTHA UK, we believe in supporting customers long after the shredder sale. Speak to different colleagues in the business, and they’ll provide lots of examples of how we do that, from ongoing machine optimisation advice, to planned preventative maintenance support, refresher operator training, spare and wear parts sales, and more.

But did you know that our industrial shredders – which have been installed in hundreds of waste and alternative fuel production facilities worldwide – actually talk to customers in ‘morse code’? And only the operators of these globally-acclaimed machines know what that code means?

OK, we’re being a little playful, but there is plenty truth in the point. 

Because, if an XR encounters an operational issue, the control panel presents an error code. For straightforward matters, a quick check of the machine’s user manual will diagnose the issue, so the operator knows what to do next. If the code represents something a little more complex, customers can share the code with an UNTHA engineer, who will either dial in remotely to resolve the matter, or pay a visit to site to remedy the fault. 

Elsewhere, UNTHA’s world-renowned four-shaft RS and single-shaft LRK shredders can present a sequence of flashing lights, and like morse code, that sequence also means something. Again, a quick glance at the operator’s user manual will determine exactly what’s going on and what needs to happen next. 

So, if you’re running one of these machines and this is news to you, talk to our customer support team to learn more. And if you’ve misplaced your user manual or you’d like another copy, please also get in touch. 

The scale of the UK’s mattress ‘waste’ problem cannot be disputed, with the National Bed Federation claiming that 6.4 million of these bulky products are thrown away each year. 

An interesting study by North London Waste Authority delved deeper into the topic in 2022, stating that a number of bad bed habits – including smoking, eating and sleeping with pets –compound the problem. Their data suggested that one in four people will get rid of their mattress before it is even four years old – staggering when you consider the guarantees commonly now associated with modern products. The research also discovered a worrying lack of awareness among the general public, with a third of people said to not even know that mattresses can be recycled. 

In truth there are many reasons why mattresses reach their perceived ‘end of life’, unfortunately much sooner than they should. But one thing is for sure – in a world seemingly evermore passionate about sustainability, there is still a long way to go when it comes to this tricky waste stream.

The reduction of mattress ‘waste’ at source is definitely a major issue. But what happens next – when it comes to the treatment of mattresses – is also a worry. 

These bulky items are difficult to store and handle, which means that far too many are fly-tipped. And even those which do successfully reach a landfill site, shouldn’t in truth end up there. After all, disposal is costly – in both financial and environmental terms. 

So yes, the oversized nature of mattresses makes them cumbersome to manoeuvre and break down. And they may be made up of multiple composite materials that are considered hard to segregate. There is also a long-standing perception in the eyes of many, that they are economically unshreddable. However, with greater awareness and understanding of exactly what is possible when it comes to mattress recycling, the resource value of this notorious ‘problem’ actually becomes very exciting.  

Some recyclers – including both mainstream firms and more specialist operators – already acknowledge the valuable recyclable materials that are ‘locked’ inside a mattress. However, they often opt to break down an end-of-life mattress by hand, despite the labour intensive, time consuming nature of this approach. In fact, UNTHA continually consults peers on a global basis and many either haven’t yet acknowledged the benefits of mechanical mattress processing, or they perceive the use of a shredder to be cost prohibitive. 

But with ongoing technological advancements comes innovation and consequently, completely new opportunities. 

Mechanical mattress processing

Did you know, for example, that while the manual breakdown of a mattress might typically take around seven minutes, a single step shredding line can now mechanically dismantle a mattress in as little as 30 seconds. Importantly, the shredding process also liberates or ‘unlocks’ the multifaceted materials inside. 

The secret of success lies in achieving a homogenous shred – a high quality output fraction – which optimises the efficiency and effectiveness of downstream separation technology. This means that clean steel can be extracted for resale and recycling, with relative ease, foam can be processed for use as carpet underlay or animal bedding, wood can be shredded for landscaping mulch or biomass, and the remaining flock material – a 30mm fraction – can be mixed to create a high calorific value Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF). For alternative fuel manufacturers with a strong environmental agenda, it is even possible to re-shred any residual contaminated material to achieve a 100% recovery rate.

Consequently, a notorious waste problem becomes a closed loop project rich in revenue and environmental potential. 

Of course sophisticated equipment is required for such a project to come to life, but shredding technology – which continues to evolve at pace – has completely transformed what recyclers can now do. 

Some machines are engineered to now comfortably handle even the most complex input materials, with slower speed, high torque drives drastically reducing the wear and maintenance intensity, and thus the whole life running costs of the asset. If the shredder is electric, the operation is ‘greener’ too when compared to competitors’ diesel driven equivalents. In fact, one pioneering UNTHA customer (outside of the mattress recycling sector) is running a shredder using the solar power they generate on site – it will be interesting to see if other organisations follow their lead. 

Mattress recycling excellence

Shropshire-based Textek is an outstanding example of mattress recycling in action. This organisation runs two UNTHA XR3000C shredders within its advanced bulky waste processing facility, with an intelligent combination of downstream magnets achieving an impressively clean ferrous extraction. Three grades of metals are pulled off the system for resale to different scrap markets, and the high-calorific flock is used for waste to energy, as a fossil fuel substitute. 

Processing over 300 mattresses every hour, this organisation has its sights set on transforming more than 1 million mattresses into valuable resources, per annum. This project required tremendous foresight and vision, but the result is exemplary – both from a sustainability and revenue generation point of view.

Industry data points to only 24% of UK mattresses being recycled at present – with some reports suggesting the ‘real’ figure is closer to only 14%. The scale of the opportunity for change, is therefore vast. But alongside forward-thinking innovators like Textek, who are working hard to achieve environmental progress, we also need to unite as an industry to increase conversation about exactly what is possible. 

‘Lack of awareness’ remains an ongoing challenge – a problem within the waste industry itself, let alone the local authority infrastructure and general public. And all too often things sound difficult. Or expensive. But there is a lot of knowledge to be gleaned from hard working people who have already ‘been there and done that’. And yes, a shredder represents a capital investment, but the possible return on that investment is huge. And that’s before we consider how much the planet will benefit from smarter thinking. 

UNTHA’s purpose-built PS1300 pallet shredder has proven so popular since its launch in 2021, that we have devised a new shredder hire package to meet rising demand for this compact but powerful machine.

Not only a hit with housebuilders, agricultural operators, and timber merchants, this turnkey pallet shredding solution – complete with in-built conveyor – has also been especially well received by manufacturers, warehouses and logistics firms with busy materials handling areas. The commonality among all PS1300 customers to date is that they have space-constrained sites, where pallets quickly pile up causing an unsightly problem and potential fire hazard – not to mention an expensive waste disposal headache due to their bulky nature. 

However, when customers shred their pallets using the PS1300, they can quickly transform up to 30 pallets per hour into a homogenous 30mm chip. This efficient volume reduction process means firms can save up to 75% on their waste collection fees, while freeing up valuable site space. The output material can also be sent – if not sold – for recycling, which adds further weight to the business case and environmental argument for this investment. 

To satisfy the number of enquiries that we have received for this compact pallet shredder, UNTHA UK has continued to procure stock machines that are readily available for immediate dispatch. The PS1300 is also available for customers to test using their own materials. 

But recognising the cash flow challenges that many organisations continue to face, we have now gone one step further, launching a dedicated PS1300 shredder hire package. 

This means that businesses can have their own pallet shredding system installed on their site for as little as £250 + VAT per week – fully inclusive of conveyor, delivery, installation, commissioning, operator training and an annual service.  

Commenting on the launch of this new package, UNTHA UK’s sales manager and pallet shredding specialist Ian Harvey said: “Some businesses come to us because they want to turn their wooden pallet waste into a valuable resource that could be recycled for landscaping mulch. Others have a far more overt commercial driver, in that they need to slash their waste disposal costs – and quickly!

“At such an affordable price point – and easy to operate and maintain – sales of the PS1300 have therefore flown. We don’t see demand slowing in 2024, which means we will invest in more machines available for rapid dispatch.”

UNTHA UK’s sales director Gary Moore added: “As we head into 2024, the economic backdrop is causing a number of challenges for some firms, especially in the face of rising energy prices and cashflow pressures. But this doesn’t mean they want to stand still – many have bold environmental ambitions, and know that a savvier waste management strategy could even save them money.

“We therefore need to work harder when supplying assets to our customer base, so that UNTHA shredders remain accessible for the companies that want to push forwards. This is one of many reasons for the launch of the PS1300 shredder hire package – an affordable way for organisations to start shredding, even if they’ve never shredded before!”

The PS1300 is also available for outright purchase, depending on customer requirements.