We’ve been more and more exposed to the advances of climate change over the last few years – and we are starting to witness a shift in mindset on the impact we can all have in driving change. 

So, to celebrate all things sustainability, help share tips for smarter environmental thinking and remind each other just how much our carbon impact matters, we’re inviting colleagues, friends of the business and our peers in the wider industry to take part in this quickfire environmental Q&A.

Next up, it’s James French, engineer at UNTHA UK…

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

My role involves understanding UNTHA’s range of shredding machinery and visiting clients’ sites to ensure their shredders continue to perform at maximum efficiency. I thrive when tackling complex challenges, and identifying and resolving operational matters quickly. 

Complete the sentence – the UK is great at recycling…

… but there is still significant room for improvement, particularly in addressing single-use plastics and vapes. While the country has made strides in recycling efforts, reducing single-use plastics and promoting responsible disposal remains a pressing challenge. 

Likewise, vapes, which often house non-recyclable components, are a concern. To boost sustainability, I think the UK should focus on developing smarter recycling solutions and raising awareness around the environmental impact of such materials.

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

The automotive industry has the potential to make significant environmental progress this year. Electric vehicles (EVs) are often marketed as a sustainable solution, but it’s important to consider their true environmental impact. While EVs produce fewer emissions during operation, the manufacturing and transportation of their components can still have a significant environmental footprint. Reducing the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain, including sourcing and production, will be crucial to make EVs a more environmentally friendly option.

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

The true impact that litter can have on the environment — from costly cleanup operations to harming wildlife. It’s promising to see more focus being placed on sustainability and conservation in school curriculums today, so that future generations can be more mindful of our individual impact on the world around us. 

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

In my opinion, the single biggest threat to the environment is the continued reliance on fossil fuels. Burning coal, oil, and natural gas for energy production results in a host of environmental problems, including extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity. Therefore, transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources is essential to avoid this threat and protect our planet.

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

Segregate your waste materials correctly and efficiently. One small change can have a huge impact. 

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

Approximately 7.5 million mattresses are thrown away every year in the UK alone – at a cost of over £20m. And yet, 80% of a mattress can be recycled into new consumer and industrial products. Better still, for alternative fuel manufacturers, it is even possible to re-shred residual contaminated material to achieve a 100% recovery rate – in other words, zero waste to landfill.

Complete the sentence – in 100 years’ time I hope… 

… that the UK continues to prioritise environmental protection and takes ambitious steps to address climate change — embracing renewable energy sources, accelerating the transition to truly sustainable electric vehicles, and implementing policies that support conservation and reforestation.

Finally, we need to see increased investment in green technologies, the reduction of single-use plastics, and a shift towards circular economies that reduce waste.