All about document shredding
Document shredding is the process of cutting documents into fine or small particles, which are unreadable. The equipment used in the process is known as the paper shredder, which is widely used in offices and has become quite popular for home use as well. Read further to find out more about document shredding, its benefits, paper shredders, their types, etc.

What are the different types of paper shredders?
Depending on the size of the final shredded pieces, paper shredders are divided into the following types:

• Cross-Cut shredders: Also known as confetti shredders, these paper shredders slice papers into small square and diamond shapes. Their wide availability and cost-effectiveness make these shredders a popular choice for small businesses.
• Strip-Cut shredders: It uses a rotating blade to cut papers into long strips. This is the simplest form of shredding and is the least secure, as the strips can be easily reassembled.
• Micro-Cut shredders: This type of paper shredder is the most secure for document shredding, as it cuts paper into minuscule particles. They are expensive and are mainly used by research facilities and government agencies for disposing of top-secret documents.
• Disintegrators: These heavy-duty shredding machines use multiple blades to shred papers into very small particles. Some of the models of this type of shredder can even disintegrate tapes, USB flash drives, CDs, and DVDs.
• Pierce-and-Tear shredders: These shredders are designed to punch holes in papers and then tear the material into tiny pieces. Widely used in industrial and manufacturing operations, they help discard cardboards and specialty paper.

Why shred your documents?
Many reasons make document shredding a must-do activity for businesses and organizations. Here are some of the reasons:

• Privacy concerns: Identity theft has become a major problem for organizations and individuals. Documents with personal information, such as names and addresses, phone numbers and email addresses, medical records, banking and financial details, and legal documentation can be easily misused. It is imperative to dispose of such documents appropriately, and document shredding is one of the ways.
• Environmental concerns: Shredding documents can leave a negative impact on the environment if the final product ends up at landfill sites. Conversely, it becomes environmentally friendly if the shredded paper is recycled. Therefore, make sure you choose paid or free document shredding service providers that recycle.
• Corporate concerns: You would certainly want your organization or business to be a cut above the rest, but your practice of disposing of official documents irresponsibly can prevent you from achieving this objective. Competitors can take unfair advantage of the documents being improperly disposed of to beat you in the competition.

What are the benefits of responsible document shredding?

• Responsible document shredding provides organizations a peace of mind that their and their clients’ information has been safely destroyed.
• Shredding followed by recycling prevents paper wastage and keeps the landfills from filling up sooner.
• Proper shredding keeps companies compliant with state and federal regulations on how to destroy or handle personal information.
• The process makes you happy that you are doing your bit to save the environment and protect the personal lives of your clients.

How can you choose a document shredding contractor?
If you have decided to count on a document shredding contractor, the following tips can help you zero in on an ideal contractor:

• Certifications: Find out whether the contractor is certified or not.
• Service hours: You must inquire about the contractor’s services hours to ensure that they suit your service requirement.
• References: Ask for their references or simply check them on your own on social media or on their websites.
• History: For how long the contractor or the company has been offering shredding services should be known.
• Pricing: Ask for the pricing policy, any additional charges, etc.
• Recycle: Inquire whether they recycle shredded pieces or not. Choose a contractor who does recycle.

Which are the best paper shredders for homes and small businesses?

• Fellowes Powershred jam proof 20-sheet commercial grade paper shredder
• AmazonBasics 12-sheet high-security micro-cut paper
• Aurora JamFree AU2030XA 20-sheet cross-cut paper shredder
• Bonsaii EverShred pro 4S30 10-sheet paper shredders
• Swingline 14-sheet paper shredder
• Royal 1840MX 18-sheet cross-cut paper shredder
• HSM shredstar 20-sheet continuous operation shredder