Paper shredding is a broad topic, including everything from privacy protection to document recycling to regulatory compliance. It’s no wonder we receive three or more paper shredding questions each week! To help you understand the topic better, we’ve provided answers to your most frequently asked paper shredding questions.

How are shredded documents recycled?

After your documents are shredded, they are baled and turned into paper pulp to produce a wide variety of business and consumer products. However, not all document shredding providers bale their own paper fiber; some ship it overseas to a third party. To keep your costs low and information safe, choose a shredding partner with a bailing operation.

What does NAID AAA certification mean?

National Association of Information Destruction (NAID) AAA certification is proof that your shredding provider meets the highest industry standards for the onsite destruction of confidential documents. In order to achieve NAID AAA certification, a shredding company must pass unannounced, ongoing audits that assess many aspects of operation, including these:

• Employee screening processes
• Insurance requirements
• Written security policies and procedures
• Certified proof of shredding processes

Using a NAID AAA certified shredding provider ensures unrivaled privacy protection for your information.

How does onsite mobile paper shredding work?

Onsite mobile shredding begins with the delivery of secure collection containers to your business, at no charge to you. When your containers are full, a screened and uniformed shredding technician collects the contents and immediately destroys the documents at your business location with a mobile shredding vehicle. You are then given a Certificate of Destruction noting the date and time of destruction.

How are outsourced shredding services different from in-house paper shredding?

Outsourced shredding is more efficient and reliable than in-house shredding. Mobile shredding trucks can destroy hundreds of pounds of documents in minutes. The same amount would take several hours with an office paper shredder. Plus, with outsourced shredding you never have to worry about paper jams and other time-consuming maintenance issues.

Outsourced shredding by a trusted and qualified partner is also more secure than in-house shredding. Where an office shredder might only shred documents into strips, outsourced shredding uses Pierce & Tear and Hammermill technologies to reduce documents to miniscule particles so they are impossible to recognize.

What is drop-off paper shredding?

Drop-off shredding is a document destruction solution that allows home and small business owners to protect themselves and their personal information from identity theft and fraud. At their convenience, they can drop off confidential documents to an approved drop-off shredding location for secure destruction.

Can non-paper items be shredded?

Yes. In fact, information security experts recommend that businesses destroy any expired digital media that contains sensitive data. Physical destruction of outdated hard drives, back up tapes and mobile devices is the only way to ensure data cannot be compromised.

Is shredding of business information required by law?

Yes. Several well-known federal regulations, including HIPAA, FACTA, SOX, and GLB, require businesses to securely dispose of client, financial and protected health information. Failure to comply with these laws can result in stiff fines and penalties.

Now that you’ve learned all about paper shredding, we hope you have a better understanding of how it’s done and why it’s important. If you have a question we haven’t answered here, please contact us by phone or complete the form on this page.

DeVries Business Services proudly serves businesses in Spokane, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.