Some materials are typically considered too complex to shred. A number of operators steer away from handling hazardous wastes such as batteries, contaminated drums and ABP-contaminated plastics for example, or clinical wastes including soiled dressings, surgical gowns and sanitary products, due to their corrosive nature. But this seemingly high risk waste does still have a resource value, and shredders exist that ARE up to the job. So, rather than sending these difficult-to-decompose materials to landfill – with 3 billion nappies disposed of per year alone, for instance – why not prioritise the recycling or energy recovery route instead?
It is important to consider the health risks associated with hazardous and medical waste disposal. For example, as a nation, do we want sanitary products and surgical dressings slowly rotting on a landfill site? Or would we rather shred such high calorific value materials to ensure their safe use via the Waste to Energy market?
Shredders can form part of turnkey waste treatment systems which enable contaminated materials to be safely cleansed and processed for reinsertion into the resource stream.
The relatively short lifespan of batteries means a large volume are discarded every day. But due to their heavy metal and toxic chemical content, their safe disposal is critical. A regulated shredding process forms a crucial part of a carefully-controlled recycling process, whereby the reclamation rates of valuable metals can be maximised and soil and water courses can be protected from contamination.
Often, by shredding arisings such as clinical waste, it is possible to liberate and extract valuable composite resources such as silicone absorption beads from sanitary products, which can be reused in the remanufacturing process.
Despite stringent waste segregation methodologies within the medical industry, the fast-paced, human-centric nature of the hospital environment means objects like sharps can sometimes end up in a bin meant only for surgical gowns or condemned linen. Shredding helps liberate and separate such materials from the incorrect stream.
Even when hazardous waste containers are to be incinerated, reliable handling equipment is required to ‘destroy’ these often heavily-contaminated materials. Shredding represents one of the safest disposal routes, even for metal and plastic drums filled with bio-waste, sludges, paints and other hazardous substances.
e.g. surgical gowns
Highly efficient, state-of-the-art waste shredding technology with minimal wear costs and maximum margins.
A neat but robust machine which can tackle smaller medical and hazardous waste items.
The UNTHA RS50 and RS60 machines provide higher torque for tougher/higher volume hazardous waste streams.
The UNTHA RS100 is a large four shaft machine equipped to process large volumes of hazardous wastes including bulky items, with ease.
The neat, compact nature of this ‘plug and play’ machine makes it a popular choice for laboratories shredding test materials.
“It’s our mission to take tougher waste streams and turn them into something really exciting. We embarked on a global search for world class waste handling technologies and the result is a UK-first plant and something which I hope will attract the attention of our peers internationally too.”
Rob Andrews, managing director
“Our plant design process took almost five years, part of which involved trials at UNTHA’s state-of-the-art test centre. However, once complete and patented, we knew we’d devised a sustainable solution for a number of high hazard commercial entities worldwide.”
Simon Webb, managing director
View real-life shredding in action via a selection of videos, download a shredder brochure or get further insight from whitepapers and guides.
If you’re considering an investment in new technology, we invite you to visit our HQ to try one of our shredders, for free, using your own materials.
With millions of pounds of consignment stock available at our central UK HQ, we have hundreds of product lines available for immediate dispatch.
To explore the indicative cost of a new shredding solution, complete this short form to get the conversation started.
Dates set for UK launch of UNTHA ZR
Currently UNTHA UK’s best-selling shredder, available from only £250 per week including conveyor, delivery, commissioning, training and annual service!
Find Out More