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As a proud subsidiary of UNTHA global, we’ve spent more than two decades championing close collaboration, engineering excellence, and a genuine penchant for progress across the UK’s waste management sector. And, while seeing our solutions out in the world is a reward in itself, there’s no better feeling than being recognised by peers for our impact. That’s why we’re so humbled by our latest achievement – being crowned the overall winner of the York and North Yorkshire Top 100 Business Awards 2026.

The annual showcase, developed by York Business School in partnership with York Press, celebrates the most successful and impactful businesses across the region. The ranking is not deduced by a single product or project’s performance, but through an objective deep dive into turnover, profit, growth, and headcount – acknowledging organisations that are not only growing, but making a meaningful contribution to their communities.

While UNTHA UK has featured in multiple regional listings over the years, including the Digital Enterprise Top 100 three times consecutively, this is the first time we’ve been named in the York and North Yorkshire Top 100 Business Awards. So, it’s certainly a significant milestone for our team. And to claim the primary title – ahead of businesses from every sector across the region – is a level of recognition like no other, not least against such a relentless financial backdrop.

Marcus Brew, our managing director, accepted the award on behalf of the team at a prestigious ceremony held at York St John University: “To be recognised by your peers at the university and also in the wider business community is absolutely fantastic. I’m really, really proud of the company and for everyone who works at UNTHA UK – it’s very special.” 

And it is. Because this isn’t a reflection of one good year or an isolated decision. Instead, it’s a testament to what our people have built together consistently over several years – a business that invests in its team, stays close to its clients, manages change with purpose, and never rests on its laurels when it comes to quality and innovation.

We’ve never chased growth for growth’s sake. UNTHA UK was established to bring genuine engineering excellence and long-term relationships to the UK and Irish markets. The fact our commitment has grown stronger still more than two decades later, with unwavering conviction at such a significant scale, is an achievement we’re incredibly proud of. We’re honoured to represent the resource and waste management sector at the top of the list too.

If you’d like to catch more updates from the UNTHA UK team, sign up to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn. Or, to discuss more about the shredding solutions that have placed us in the spotlight, get in touch with our experts.

With more RS shredders in operation worldwide than any other UNTHA machine, this four-shaft workhorse is a genuine staple of the waste and recycling market. Trusted for volume reduction, material liberation, and precise particle sizing across a wide range of complex streams – from WEEE and confidential documents to metal swarf, plastic packaging, IBC drums, and automotive parts – the RS has continued to evolve since its original launch many decades ago.

Now, we’re taking it even further. To meet the demands of an industry that never stands still, the RS range has been comprehensively redesigned with several major innovations to improve strength, versatility, control, uptime, efficiency, and cost. Here, we explore exactly what’s new.

A bold exterior built with impact

The RS Series 4 arrives with a refreshed aesthetic, marked by a distinctive new hopper colour unique to this generation. But the refresh is not simply about visual appeal. LED status lighting on the control panel gives operators an at-a-glance read on machine availability, while a more solid, torsion-resistant construction adds structural resilience for long-term durability in demanding environments. Every element of the redesign has been considered with the operator in mind, from the shop floor up.

Enhanced throughput performance

Throughput performance has always been a strength of the RS. In the Series 4, it’s been pushed further still. Targeted adaptations to the screen body and cutting system symmetry reduce clogging, improve material flow, and deliver a more homogenous output than any previous generation. For operators, this consistency matters – it keeps downstream systems running efficiently, reduces the risk of process interruptions, and puts greater confidence behind every shred, regardless of what material you’re running through the machine.

Fewer parts for straightforward maintenance

Sometimes, the most impactful engineering decisions are the simplest, designed to remove complexity rather than add it. The RS Series 4 features a direct drive across all models, which significantly reduces the number of wear parts within the machine. Fewer components means fewer potential failure points, lower spare parts costs, and a more straightforward maintenance experience day to day. Perhaps most importantly, the lifetime cost is reduced because of this, meaning that, over time, you’ll save more money than if you’d opted for a competitor shredder. Furthermore, all routine servicing can now be carried out with non-specialist tooling, reducing dependency on external engineers and keeping your operation moving.

30% faster screen changes to cut downtime

Maintenance windows are an unavoidable reality in any shredding operation, ensuring equipment operates at peak performance. What isn’t inevitable is how long they take. The integrated quick-change screen system in the RS Series 4 cuts screen change times by up to 30% compared to older models – a seemingly simple improvement that has a direct and measurable impact on operational efficiency. Less time spent on the machine means more time processing material, and stronger uptime figures across the board.

Quieter operations that boost health and safety

Operator wellbeing is a central priority that cannot be overlooked. The RS Series 4 delivers a genuine, measurable improvement here – noise levels have been reduced by 8%, bringing the machine down to as low as 74dB(A). This not only supports compliance with occupational health and safety requirements, but also improves day-to-day working conditions for machine operators and broadens the range of site environments where the RS Series 4 can be deployed.

A reimaged core for long-term reliability

The mechanical foundations of the RS Series 4 have been enhanced with longevity in mind. Upgraded mechanical sealing now offers far greater protection for the bearings, extending service intervals and reducing the frequency of maintenance interventions. New IE3 motors improve energy efficiency across the full model range. Plus, every RS Series 4 comes with an extended three-year warranty as standard – a reflection of the confidence placed in this new generation of engineering, and a meaningful assurance for operators planning long-term.

Intelligent monitoring with UNTHA GENIUS

UNTHA’s data-driven software platform GENIUS – already well established on the XR and ZR ranges – is now available on the RS Series 4 for the first time. It collects real-time process data from the machine, generates productivity forecasts, and supports proactive maintenance planning before issues escalate into downtime. Remote diagnostics with SMS alerts add another layer of operational confidence, meaning your team can be notified of developing faults or performance changes instantly, without needing to be on site. An enhanced touchscreen interface, integrated machine hours counter, and a control system upgraded to EN 13849-1 PLd complete a package that puts operators genuinely in control of their machine and their output.

Configurable for the most demanding applications

No two shredding operations are the same, and the RS Series 4 has been designed with this reality in mind. Available across six models – RS30, RS40, RS50, RS60, RS100, and RS150 – the machine can be specified with a range of optional enhancements, fully configurable to suit your exact requirements. Available options include longer-lasting mechanical seals for enhanced bearing protection, wear plates for resilience against abrasive inputs, digital oil level monitoring with automatic shut off, pre-tensioned cutting discs to guard against unshreddables, and shaft ventilation to reduce contamination within the cutting system.

Ready to find the right shredding solution?

Whether you need a standalone RS Series 4 or a fully integrated turnkey shredding line designed around your site, our team works closely with you from the outset to make sure the solution genuinely fits. No matter what, our goal is to help you strengthen performance, minimise disruption, and maximise returns for years to come.

If you’d like to see the RS Series 4 before committing, we’d love to show you what it can do. At our Boroughbridge HQ, you can book a demo and trial your own materials for free – there’s no better way to understand the output quality and throughput capability firsthand. Plus, with our flexible finance and hire options, accessing industry-leading shredding technology doesn’t have to mean a significant upfront investment.

On 4–7 May, Messe München opened its doors for IFAT Munich 2026. Now in its 60th year, the event is one of the world’s leading stages for environmental technologies, covering a vast range of topics spanning water and sewage to waste and raw materials management. More than 3,000 international exhibitors attend every year, and UNTHA is always proud to be at the heart of the action. Of course, this year was no exception.

From launching a portfolio of new products and securing sales on the stand, to hosting live demonstrations and guiding companies through their biggest waste management challenges, here’s a taste of what was in store for the team.

Launching a duo of brand-new shredders

As waste processors face growing pressure to handle more complex material streams, improve fuel quality, and control operating costs, we’ve broadened our industry-leading portfolio of shredders to meet these needs head on. And, when the theme of ‘rethinking innovation’ emerged for IFAT, we knew there was no setting more fitting to showcase what’s new.

Our two new additions include:

• The MR1800C Pro. Built for tougher applications, but with the same UNTHA design philosophy our customers know and love, the MR1800C Pro enables operators to process material otherwise considered uneconomical to shred – including hard plastics, production waste, compressed film bales, and waste wood. Its single-pass, high-throughput design offers superior efficiency and precision, while a customisable cutting system means the machine can be configured to suit varied waste challenges.

• The SR class. A true workforce for alternative fuel production, the SR models (SR2000XC and SR3000XC) are strong competitors for secondary SRF shredders, processing more than 20 tonnes of material per hour. Beyond quieter operation, reduced maintenance requirements, and lower operating costs, these machines deliver a homogenous particle output perfect for producing high-quality substitute fuels.

Following an intense period of research and development, it was a genuine joy to see our new machinery out in the world – let alone so widely celebrated by delegates. Orders and enquiries are already being taken, so fire any questions over to our experts.

Showcasing upgrades to our signature single-shaft series

As exciting as the MR1800C Pro and SR models are, our portfolio additions were not all that commanded attention at IFAT. Focused just as much on optimisation as we are delivering new, we also showcased a series of comprehensive upgrades to our renowned XR mobile-e shredder, with the new XR 2.0 – now more powerful, versatile, and efficient than ever. 

Most notably, the XR 2.0 is now available with a new Asynchronous PowerDrive alongside the existing Eco Power Drive synchronous option, giving operators greater flexibility for heavy-duty applications. Three cutting unit configurations – C, XC, and RC – cover everything from coarse pre-shredding to fine processing, while both stationary and semi-mobile options mean the machine adapts to the nuanced needs of every site.

IFAT delegates even had the chance to see the technology in action during our live demonstrations in the VDMA outdoor area, where an XR 2.0 equipped with an RC cutting unit shredded various grades of waste wood. Driven by the UNTHA Power Core for fully self-sufficient operation, the shredder worked alongside a Sennebogen 826 G handling machine to showcase a complete, high-performance processing solution in real-world conditions. 

The demonstrations were such a hit, we shook hands on several global deals for the XR in conversations that unfolded afterwards.

Providing expert advice on the floor

Alongside product launches and live demonstrations, IFAT gave the UNTHA UK team an invaluable chance to engage directly with processors, recyclers, and waste management organisations across the globe, exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities shaping operations right now.

From full-service solutions and digital support tools like MyUNTHA, to finance packages and application-specific guidance, discussions focused on helping businesses unlock greater value from every corner of their operations. As ever, we were proud to extend our role as a true strategic advisor, plugging decades of expertise and frontline experience to help companies tweak the dials on their waste management strategies.

Until next time

Thanks to IFAT for having us – and for hosting yet another stellar event – to our global colleagues for the continued collaboration, and to this year’s delegates for being so immersed in our insight and on-site demonstrations. We’re eagerly anticipating the next expo already.

Our people are important to us at UNTHA UK – after all, without their knowledge and expertise, we’d be unable to deliver the five-star customer service we’re so famous for. So, each month, we quiz a different colleague on 10 quickfire questions that offer a little more insight into why they play such an important and valued part of our growing team.

Next up, it’s Andy Nadin, our aftersales manager…

How did you first get into the world of shredding?

By chance – UNTHA was my first interview after leaving my previous company. As soon as I stepped through the door at the Boroughbridge head office, I knew we’d be a perfect fit for each other. 

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

I think you need more than one skill to succeed in the role. My standouts would be having a calm mindset – this always helps when pressure is on – the ability to see the bigger picture, and having compassion and creativity, which is a must in certain situations.

Name one highlight from your UNTHA venture so far.

There isn’t a specific moment that stands out, but still being able to smile on the drive to work on a Monday morning after 14 years is certainly a plus. 

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

Spending time with my wife and kids is my go-to way to unwind. Otherwise, sports and films allow me to forget the world for an hour or two… and knitting!  

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

To keep learning; to learn is to understand, which is critical to providing the correct service.

Which UNTHA machine is your favourite, and why?

It has always been the RS40 shredder – if you look after it like you would your car, it just runs and runs. When we have customer trials here at Boroughbridge, I’m still fascinated to watch the machine in action. 

UNTHA has many divisions scattered across 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?

Travelling is a passion of mine, and we try to go to a different country each year. I took my Dad down Route 66 last year, but there was so much more to explore that we missed – maybe time at UNTHA America would allow me to see a few more of the national parks.    

What do you think makes UNTHA’s service such a hit with our customers?

We understand the individual needs of every customer, and are able to back up the talk with the quality of the machines and service we provide. 

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

To continue to grow, both with new machine innovations and in the size and skillset of the team itself.  

And finally, what’s your main environmental hope for the UK as a whole?

To do better. Let’s try not to leave the world as a mess for the next generation.

Pioneering machinery might be our forte, but sometimes, it’s important to take a step back from the spotlight and let other high performers take centre stage. That’s why, this year, we’re thrilled to be sponsoring drag race competitor Nathan Hulkes once again, this time for his second season behind the wheel.

Belting into his beloved 1990s Ford Mustang Foxbody as part of the Bricktop Racing team, Nathan is gearing up for an exciting run of events throughout 2026. Here’s more about Nathan’s journey to the strip, the almighty machine he’s built from the ground up to compete with, and why we’re proud to support him in the months ahead.

Where our partnership began

UNTHA UK has always been keen to support community sport and grassroots talent, with our first foray into the sponsorship world starting with a local darts team. That experience showed us how much energy, camaraderie, and community spirit sports partnerships can bring – not only for the players, but for all the spectators and sponsors involved. Not to mention, we’re a team of many sports enthusiasts at UNTHA HQ.

So when Nathan – a second-generation racer who grew up helping his dad at drag strips and went on to build race car components himself – entered his first season in the MSA Championship last year, it was a natural fit. We were thrilled to sponsor him as he took his first steps into competitive drag racing, backing a driver whose passion and dedication mirrored the same approach we bring to our own work. That first season gave us a glimpse into what Nathan could achieve, and it quickly became clear we wanted to continue supporting him as he built his career on the track.

Racing spirit that runs in the blood

Nathan’s connection to drag racing is deeply entrenched. A second-generation racer, he spent his childhood at drag strips, helping his dad and other competitors with everything from engines to setup, absorbing the skills, discipline, and culture of motorsport long before he ever sat behind the wheel. Even as a young adult, he was drawn to building and racing cars, previously running a fourth-generation Camaro on the streets – earning recognition as one of the fastest street-legal Camaros in Europe at the time and winning several bracket gamblers meetings.

Nathan’s current car, a 1990s Ford Mustang Foxbody, is a culmination of this hands-on experience. Nathan built it himself in his garage, combining his career experience with a little help from friends, to create a street-legal, tube-chassis race car designed to dominate the quarter mile. The Mustang is powered by a seven-litre LSX V8 with a large single turbo and a two-speed Powerglide gearbox, capable of running on methanol or petrol. It’s a machine that reflects both his mechanical skill and his desire to push boundaries – able to produce up to 1800hp, with the potential to run the quarter mile in 7.6 seconds at 180mph.

Charting the course with skill

Last season, Nathan approached his first competitive year carefully, easing both himself and the car into the demands of MSA Championship racing. In his own words: “We ran on a very low-power setting, achieving our best of 8.70 seconds at 157mph. Across the six meetings we competed in, we secured two number-one qualifying spots and reached a quarter-final and a final. Two of the meetings were rained off and we missed the last one, losing the all-round bonus, but we still managed to finish sixth out of 25 teams.”

He adds: “The style of racing we do is index racing, whether that’s Super Comp (8.90) or 7.60 heads-up. The aim is to run as close as possible to your index without going faster, while beating the other car to the finish line. We ran numerous 8.90s, which made us very competitive.”

Beyond the on-track results, Nathan and his team stood out for their professionalism. Out of more than 350 competitors, they were nominated as one of the five “most professional appearing” squads – a recognition of the attention to detail, discipline, and pride that they bring to every race. He’s since proven his popularity among major media outlets too, having been interviewed by Drag Coverage and appearing on the Eurodragster podcast.

Looking ahead to the 2026 season

Amping up our sponsorship for the Bricktop Racing team, we’re proud to back Nathan Hulkes as he takes on the full 2026 calendar. From the Festival of Power in April to the National Finals in September, he’ll be racing at a series of high-profile events across the season, all taking place at Northamptonshire’s Santa Pod Raceway once again. We can’t wait to be at the heart of the action, cheering him on trackside.

Speaking on the partnership, Gary Moore, our sales director, concludes: “Watching a car launch down the quarter mile is one thing, but being there trackside is an entirely different experience. From the roar of the engine to the camaraderie of the racing community, the energy is impossible to capture from afar. We’re proud to support Nathan’s journey and see his passion and dedication in action, and we’re equally excited to share that high-octane excitement with our clients – particularly given our commitment to nurturing long-term relationships beyond the sale of a machine.”

UNTHA UK managing director, Marcus Brew, recently participated in a Q&A with Plastics Recycling World. If you missed it, you can read the article in full, here…

All answers supplied by Marcus Brew, managing director, UNTHA UK

How do you view the current market for shredding technology in the plastics industry?

Plastic shredding has long been a popular topic – it’s one of the most frequently visited pages on UNTHA UK’s website, for example, and with mounting public attention surrounding single use plastics and all-things-environment, this trend looks unlikely to change any time soon.

What do you see as the main trends influencing new developments?

For those of us, in industry, who have cared about plastic for quite some time, we’re constantly pushing for better – looking at which trickier plastics we can process, through smarter engineering and technological innovation. When forward thinking operators know what might be possible, they break new boundaries.

What specific problems and applications require new solutions?

As is the case in any environmental sector, we’re seeing operators demand greater throughputs, particle precision and material flexibility, while driving down energy consumption and maintenance to reap environmental and financial gain. And rightly so! This is exactly what technological innovation should achieve – more, with less.

Things are no different in when it comes to shredding plastics.

What are the main technical areas of interest and how are they being addressed?

An area that seems to be attracting increasing attention, is POPs – persistent organic pollutants, found in some WEEE.

Due to the specific physical and chemical properties of this substance, they can have a long-lasting impact on environmental and human health if not managed correctly during the waste disposal process. The Environment Agency’s updated guidance on POPs has caused ripples throughout the industry, but as is often the case, innovation is already driving change.

Interesting case studies and developments

Disruptive plastic recycler 3R Technology is a shining example of what’s possible in this space.

With more than 20 years’ experience – particularly in the Belgian market – its attention recently turned to the UK and the WEEE plastic processing challenge. The ambitious scrap handler has therefore invested in new technology to bolster its UK operations.

Approximately 2,000 tonnes of shredded small domestic appliance (SDA) plastics are being handled by the team every month, at their 5000m² warehouse in Preston.

Two UNTHA shredders lie at the heart of the cutting-edge plant. A single shaft UNTHA LRK plastic shredder processes PS fridge plastics, and a four shaft UNTHA RS40 with screen achieves a refined 30mm fraction after processing SDA mix. Particle homogeneity is ensured by both machines.

The post-shredded plastic is then transported via conveyor belt to the washing line with floating tank, to be cleaned and dried. ABS/PS and PP/PE material is then run through an electrostatic separator to create pure, high value ABS and PS flakes for remanufacturing.

But having rigorously tested the state-of-the-art processing line, 3R Technology is on the hunt for more material heading into next year and beyond, with the site capable of recycling various plastics, including flat-screen TV cases, computer monitor housings, and computer based peripherals.

The goal is to reach an annual processing milestone in excess of 5,000 tonnes this year, with plans to open two further plants in the South of England and Scotland, in the near future.

Speaking at the time of the installation, 3R Technology’s founder and CEO Yu Lin Wang, said: “The UK’s WEEE recycling capabilities are continuously improving. However, the focus is usually the processing of metallic content. We’re therefore partnering with WEEE and scrap metal handlers, to tackle the 50% mixed plastic that typically remains once redundant appliances have been shredded. This still has a significant resource value, which often isn’t realised in the UK.”

This is not 3R Technology’s first UNTHA investment.

“We use UNTHA at our Dutch plant too,” elaborated Mr Wang. “So, when it came to selecting the processing machinery for our UK facility – equipment that is easy to use, simple to maintain, and has an impressive capacity – we knew where to go.

“UNTHA shredders make the job of our downstream technology so much easier – we’re able to segregate a further 3-5% clean metal from the floating table which boosts our revenue stream. Our site is attracting a lot of attention, particularly on social media, so we’ll continue to be very vocal when it comes to what we can do. We even encourage people to come and take a look!”

3R Technology also has WEEE recycling facilities in Serbia and The Netherlands.

UNTHA shredders are engineered – by design – to ensure they are safe and easy to use. But we still provide thorough training when our machines are first commissioned, to protect the health and wellbeing of operators, and ensure they get the most from our shredding technology.

And as our parts and maintenance sales executive, Julie Cassidy explains, this training is proving extremely popular right now. Here’s why:

1. Many of our customers are growing, following an extremely busy time for the world of waste, recycling and alternative fuel production. With this growth comes the appointment of fresh faces, so it’s important that new staff are trained, by UNTHA, to use an UNTHA shredder.

2. Our sessions are practical, efficient, and packed full of knowledge. We know your time is precious, so we’ve perfected the format to ensure we can cover everything in less than four hours – with plenty of room for questions, of course. 

3. First and foremost, we show how to operate our shredders safely, as nothing is more crucial than your duty of care to employees.

4. Next, we look at how to get the most from your shredding technology, so when we’re on site, we’ll also speak to operators about your material type, output requirements, throughputs, and more. Our aim is to make the best use of your time with one of our experienced engineers, so we’re happy to share some simple machine optimisation tips too. The result?

5. Maximum performance and minimal operating costs.

6. We’re big believers in planned preventative maintenance, but this doesn’t mean complicated or time-consuming maintenance regimes. Our shredders are designed for long service intervals, so we’ll offer you some simple daily maintenance advice to keep your shredder in perfect working order.

7. We can all become a little forgetful over time, or pick up bad habits when something becomes routine. We therefore recommend refresher training sessions every six months. 

8. All attendees will be issued with a certificate, to evidence their ongoing professional development. 

9. Before we leave, we will discuss your future staffing plans and training requirements, to ensure colleagues’ knowledge never lapses. We will then proactively contact you 6-8 weeks before your next session is due, so that’s one less thing for you to think about.

10. Finally, we’re currently offering a free parts audit, while on site. This is a simple run through of your spare and wear parts and consumables, to ensure you have everything you need – safe in the knowledge we’ve got you covered with our vast UK stockholding in the event of the unexpected.

As environmental pressures intensify and sustainability standards continue to advance, businesses play a vital role in accelerating positive change. At UNTHA UK, we see this responsibility reflected not only in our technology, but in the everyday decisions made by people across our sector.

As environmental pressures intensify and sustainability standards continue to advance, businesses play a vital role in accelerating positive change. At UNTHA UK, we see this responsibility reflected not only in our technology, but in the everyday decisions made by people across our sector.

Where do you fit into the environmental sector? Tell us a little bit about your role at UNTHA UK:

I am the financial controller here at UNTHA UK, responsible for all things relating to finance. I work closely with colleagues from all of our departments to oversee efficient processes for functions spanning budgeting and forecasting to legal compliance and strategic decision making. I particularly enjoy building relationships with clients and seeing them thrive in their respective industries.

Complete the sentence: the UK is great at recycling....

…many things, but there is much more we can do. I think we could go a long way by standardising council recycling processes across the UK. This should provide the public with clearer instructions when disposing of waste, allowing everyone to engage and participate more effectively. I believe the fact that methods vary from council to council only adds to confusion and disengagement. For me, the recycling guidance where I live is different from where I work!

Which sector do you think could achieve significant environmental progress this year?

This doesn’t relate solely to one sector, but I believe the workplace recycling changes that came into effect on 31 March 2025 (in England) should bring improvements across the board. These rules should not only aid more sustainable progress for businesses, but also help individuals think about their own recycling habits at home.

What do you wish you’d known about the environment as a child?

I don’t remember being aware of the negative impact plastics had on the environment as a young child. I think equally important is to create habits that last a lifetime, moving beyond rules on how to recycle and helping children understand the impact of not doing so. I don’t claim to be an expert in education, but I think most children love to see and hear about animals, for example, so teaching our youngsters about the devastating impact plastics can have on wildlife will surely resonate with them – as long as it doesn’t traumatise them.

A current issue in this space is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) – there is a growing body of research on the environmental impact of AI. I would like to think this will be addressed as soon as possible, so the impact can be managed and controlled, as AI is surely here to stay.

What’s the single biggest threat to the environment, in your opinion?

It has got to be human-induced climate change. A current issue in this space is the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) – there is a growing body of research on the environmental impact of AI. I would like to think this will be addressed as soon as possible, so the impact can be managed and controlled, as AI is surely here to stay.

Share one tip to help people be ‘greener’ at work or at home:

Make sure your old gadgets get recycled. In the UK, we are one of the largest producers of electronic waste. Don’t just chuck your old items in a cupboard and forget about them for years (we are all guilty of this). Your local authority should have a kerbside e-waste collection scheme, as well as guidance surrounding designated nearby drop-off facilities.

Tell us an environmental statistic that you think people need to know:

We don’t always think about the carbon cost behind our online habits, but we should. Studies show that an AI query can use 10–20 times more energy than a standard Google search, which is roughly the same as charging your phone for a couple of minutes. It might not seem huge in isolation, but it adds up. So the question is: do we actually need AI for every task, or will using a search engine be sufficient?

Complete the sentence: in 100 years’ time…

…the impacts of climate change will be accepted by all and not used as a political tool.