Recycling is great for the environment, but it’s not always the best option when it comes to certain types of paper. If you’re running a business, you need to ensure that any sensitive documents are properly disposed of – and that’s where shredding comes in.
Shredding your documents is the best way to protect your information, and it’s pretty easy. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about business paper shredding, from finding the right shredder to properly disposing of your documents.
Why Shred?
The first question you might be asking is, “Why should I bother shredding my documents in the first place?” After all, isn’t recycling good for protecting your sensitive information? Identity thieves can use any document with your business name, address, or other information to commit fraud.
If you throw away these documents, anyone can go through your trash and find them. Shredding your documents ensures they’re completely unreadable and can’t be used to steal your identity.
How to Shred
Now that you know why you should shred your documents let’s discuss how to do it. The first step is to find a shredder that’s right for your business. If you have a small business, you can probably get away with a personal shredder. These shredders are typically less expensive and can be found at most office supply stores.
However, if you have a larger business, you’ll need to invest in a commercial shredder. Commercial shredders are more powerful and can handle larger quantities of paper. You can usually find these at office supply stores or online retailers.
When selecting the right shredder, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, think about how much paper you need to shred regularly. A personal shredder will probably suffice if you only need to shred a few documents here and there. However, if you have a large volume of paper to shred, you’ll need a commercial-grade shredder.
Second, think about the security level you need. Shredders are typically rated by their security level, with higher numbers indicating a more secure shred. If you’re dealing with particularly sensitive information, you’ll want to choose a shredder with a higher security rating.
The ins and outs of shredding:
Once you’ve selected the right shredder for your needs, it’s time to start shredding! Remove any staples or paper clips when feeding your documents into the shredder. These can damage the blades on your shredder and cause it to malfunction. Once your documents are prepped, feed them into the shredder a few at a time. Some shredders have an auto-feed feature that allows you to shred large quantities of paper without having to stand there and feed them manually.
Certain standards need to be maintained legally when shredding. For example, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires businesses to take reasonable measures to protect customer information. This includes properly disposing of sensitive information – which is where shredding comes in.
The FTC also requires businesses to have a written policy outlining their procedures for disposing of sensitive information. This policy should include shredding as one of the approved methods for disposal.
While certain legal requirements you need to follow, there are also best practices you can implement to protect your information further. For example, you should consider shredding any documents that contain confidential information, such as customer financial records or employee files. You should also shred outdated documents that you no longer need – even if they don’t contain sensitive information.
Disposing of the documents:
Once your documents are shredded, you’ll need to dispose of them properly. The best way to do this is to invest in a shred bin. Shred bins are specially designed containers that allow you to safely store your shredded paper until it can be disposed of.
Many shredding companies will provide you with a free shred bin when you sign up for their services. When your shred bin is full, call your shredding company, and they’ll come to pick it up. They’ll then take your shredded paper to a secure facility where it will be recycled.
Shredding yourself vs. outsourcing shredding:
You may wonder whether you should shred your documents or outsource the task to a professional shredding company. There are pros and cons to both options. Shredding your documents yourself is typically cheaper, but it’s also more time-consuming.
You’ll need to invest in a shredder and take the time to shred your documents regularly. Outsourcing your shredding needs to a professional company is more expensive, but it’s also more convenient. A professional company will come to your office and do all the shredding for you. They’ll also provide you with shred bins and regularly pick up your shredded paper.
The bottom line:
Shredding is an important part of protecting your business information. Investing in a quality shredder and properly disposing of your documents can help keep your info safe from criminals. And if you have sensitive information that you need to dispose of, consider outsourcing your shredding needs to a professional company. They’ll take care of everything for you – leaving you with one less thing to worry about.
