#security shredding

From information safety to operational efficiency and compliance needs, data shredding helps businesses like yours with a number of things. In fact, many companies are obligated to shred their data after the retention period completes. So, partnering with professionals lets you stay ahead of your data destruction practices. However, onsite shredding keeps you even another step forward. And here are a few reasons why onsite shredding offers guaranteed safety and peace of mind:

There is a flexible and accommodating shredding schedule working right around your needs.

Onsite shredding also takes the pressure off your employees and saves their precious time.

There is minimal opportunity for a data breach to occur.

It mitigates the risk your documents might have when transported to the shredding facility.

You can achieve your data security goals more effectively and affordably with shredding right at your doorstep.

When you hire someone reputable, the entire team will be checked and vetted for guaranteed safety of your particular shredding job.

Plus, you have that much-needed peace of mind with a witnessed shred, not having to track where your documents travel, and everything happening right on your premises.

You can use the shredding service not just for paper but many other non-paper items like hard drives or other digital media.

A shredding service that also values sustainability will offer efficient pickups, disposal, and recycling.

Onsite shredding makes sense for both one-time as well as purge shredding to ease your shredding stress.

If you are a business owner, you understand that shredding your sensitive documents after their retaining schedule is critical. It helps dispose of your sensitive information beyond reconstruction and saves you from identity theft or data breach. But did you know you could shred your documents for free? To avoid your trashed confidential information from becoming someone’s treasure, shred your paper with quality shredders, and what’s better than a nearly free service?

Shredding Events Are a Go-To Solution

Free shredding events, also called community shredding events, continue to grow in popularity. Also known as shred-a-thon or shred fest, these are a common solution for those looking to purge documents at a budget. Companies deploy numerous shredders for big and small jobs, where you can witness the entire process.

For your information, these events aren’t entirely free. There may be volume restrictions or a flat fee, whatever the company demands. In addition, the shredded materials may or may not be recycled.

Retail Store Shredding Is Another Alternative

If you can’t find a shredding event near you, retail stores also offer to shred smaller loads. This can be both for members and non-members. And they could be using off-site shredding services to outsource the task, storing all documents in locked bins until the final shredding day.

Is Free Shredding Service Safe?

Your documents can often sit unsupervised and unsecured until someone comes to assist or you wait for your turn to shred. Waiting in line can be frustrating, and shredding events often work on their schedule, not what’s convenient for you. Besides, there is no proof of destruction, no chain of custody, and probably uncertified workers handling your sensitive documents. Also, finding a free shredding event near you can be challenging.

Partner with Professionals for Secure Shredding

Although free shredding is convenient and cost-effective, it lacks the benefits of professional security shredding. If you are concerned about keeping your reputation and business information safe, get in touch with a certified and trustworthy service provider. They can provide mobile shredding services for one-time or recurring needs. Plus, you have the peace of mind that your data is in good hands.

The Bottom Line

Are you looking to partner with a shredding company near you? Paper shredding is a smart investment in the safety of your business. 

It safeguards your organization against identity theft and data breaches. Moreover, a key part of this process is a secure shredding container accelerating the process. These receptacles hold all your waste paper until everything is disposed of properly. 

So, before opting for security shredding, ensure you know your bins to make informed shedding decisions.

What Is A Shredding Container?

It is a locked console that allows storing the documents you wish to eliminate until those have been picked up for disposal. Since these containers are tamper-proof, it keeps away illicit access. In addition, the bins have an opening on top, wide enough to accept paper of different sizes but not hands to pull stuff out.

Benefits of Using a Shredding Container

When you choose to partner with a shredding company, they provide complementary bins for you to accumulate all waste. It offers numerous benefits, some of which include the following:

Reduce paper and non-paper clutter

Protect confidential information

Increase employee productivity

Receive document of destruction

Mobile shredding service is also available

Types of Shredding Containers

At the outset, shredding bins look like trash cans. However, these bins have a lock that only you and the company reps can access. Usually, there are a few common sizes available, three of which are:

Shredding Cart: This is a 64-gallon container and can hold around 4 boxes of paper.

L Shredding Cart: This is a 96-gallon container and can hold 10 boxes of paper.

XL or Executive Container: This one’s a 175-gallon bin perfect for even heavier loads. It can also act as a fax machine stand.

You can also get bins of smaller sizes including 6, 24, and 32 gallons, suitable for personal or standard needs. Contact an expert to understand what fits your needs the best.

Items Permitted & Prohibited

Business documents, client files, expired tax and financial papers, contact lists, paperclips, staples, etc., can go into the bin. Dead or outdated electronics, lithium batteries, glass, infectious medical waste, office supplies, etc., are some prohibited items.

What Happens On The Day Of Pickup?

Trained, uniformed, and expert company representatives visit your facility, unlock the containers, and haul away the waste for disposal and recycling. They put the material through heavy-duty shredders before carrying it away for recycling.

Healthcare facilities are strictly obligated to keep their patients’ medical information secure. These records consist of critical information related to patients’ well-being and can be easily misused if not handled with care. You must realize how important it is for your facility to destroy these records once they serve the purpose and safeguard your practice as well as the patients’ confidentiality.

The Risks Involved

Many serious problems can arise if medical records land in the wrong hands. Misappropriation of this information can put someone’s life at risk, and your medical practice may be liable for the consequences. If there isn’t a systematic way of retaining records, these can be easily tossed in the trash and land in unauthorized hands. In fact, when you aren’t storing your data methodically, it can be misplaced or destroyed prematurely, posing risks during audits or lawsuits.

How Can Shredding Help Your Medical Practice?

With an increase in identity theft cases and data breaches over recent years, information destruction has become imperative. HIPAA and many other privacy protection laws suggest destroying contact details, biometric identifiers, photographs, medical record numbers, unique identifying numbers, and social security numbers to protect sensitive information on medical records. The list also includes insurance plans, genetic information, medical history, diagnostic information, treatments, payments, and donations. 

These laws apply to the records in all formats, including paper and digital. Shredding services help you avoid violating legal obligations, costly penalties, or imprisonment. Furthermore, different state laws require additional measures, which again make it essential for you to dispose of PHI (protected health information) as safely as possible – not before or much after the retention period, just right in time, and with a reputable and professional shredding company.

Contact a Reputable Shredding Company for Assistance

Document shredding has existed for decades in the form of cutting and tearing paper. With time, the practice has evolved significantly and now involves using best-in-class shredding machines. The purpose of shredding goes beyond paper management. And here are the top reasons why shredding is a critical practice for the reputation and safety of any business.

Since identity thefts affect millions of people every year, safely disposing of your confidential documents can keep you from adding to that statistics.

If you store your tax information year after year, stop that right away. You can safely shred those papers after three years of filing the taxes.

You must also consider shredding any photo IDs, as the information can be used against you for nefarious purposes.

If you receive any bank-related mails, including card or bank promotions, throw them away immediately. Shredding ensures your identity isn't stolen in any way through these mails.

Not just offers, you must also shred your old bank statements and anything else containing your details and banking information. This helps prevent identity thieves from misusing your sensitive data.

Security shredding allows the destruction of documents beyond reconstruction. This is especially helpful in disposing of canceled or void checks which contain your account details and routing number.

You must also get rid of pay stubs containing critical account information and financial institution details. Shred them immediately or at least after a year if there are any unresolved disputes.

In fact, many business sectors, including healthcare and law firms, have a legal obligation to shred confidential documents and protect sensitive information.

It also increases your clients' confidence in your services, knowing their information will be handled safely and disposed of with even more care.

With a professional shredding company, your documents are destroyed completely and in a verifiable manner. This isn't always possible with an office shredder.

Document shredding also helps prevent privacy breaches that can permanently tarnish your reputation.

Besides, paper shredding helps de-clutter your space and keep everyone working efficiently without a load of unnecessary paper waste piling up.

By getting rid of the stack of documents, you also reduce your risk of a fire hazard. Regular purging keeps such serious dangers at bay.

A shredding company that works with a recycling partner also helps preserve the environment by recycling shredded paper and reusing it in various ways.

Hire a Professional Shredding Service Today!