Where Does My Paper Go? Understanding the Shredding Process

The average person in the US uses more than 35 reams of paper each year. That works out to about 67 sheets per workday—and half of that goes to waste!

When you toss your paper, where do you put it? Recycling paper is important, but dropping whole documents and files into the recycle bin leaves you and your company vulnerable to a data breach and noncompliance with data privacy laws.

Likewise, DIY shredding is problematic on several levels. Instead, I’m sure you’ve already partnered with a local, NAID AAA Certified shredding provider so that each time you toss a document, it lands in a secure shred collection container until your scheduled shredding date.

Since information security is key, have you ever wondered where all your shredded paper goes?

1. Shredded

You may have that local shredding company shred your documents on-site in their mobile shredding truck, or perhaps someone in your company takes them to a secure drop-off shredding location.

2. Mixed

All of your shredded paper is then mixed with the shredded paper from multiple other sources and baled. A security-screened driver then drives the bales in a GPS-tracked truck to the shredding plant where the contents are unloaded.

3. Recycled

Your shredding provider should have the same environmental goals you do, so they will ensure that 100% of the shredded material in those bales is recycled and manufactured into new paper products. After all, each ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space so that, rather than decomposing there and releasing methane, one of the primary greenhouse gases, it can be used again.

4. Protected

By using the services of a NAID AAA Certified company, you know your data will be kept secure within an unbroken chain of custody from the pickup to recycling. A Certificate of Destruction will confirm that your documents have safely been shredded in accordance with state and federal data privacy laws such as the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), HIPAA, SOX, and FACTA.

3 Questions to Ask Yourself about Your Paper

Not sure if your business is compliant with data privacy laws? Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Are your discarded paper documents being securely shredded so that the information can’t be reconstructed?
2. Are you using a NAID AAA Certified shredding company to remain compliant with data privacy laws and protect the private information of your clients, staff, and your business?
3. Are you using a shredding company that recycles 100% of the paper they shred?

Apex Shredding proudly provides NAID AAA Certified, mobile shredding and destruction services to Northern Colorado businesses and residents. Whether you need recurring scheduled shredding, a one-time file purge, drop-off shredding service, or even compliance training for your staff, simply give our friendly shredding experts a call at 907-532-5007 or complete the form on this page.