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4 Questions To Ask Your Shredding Company

Choosing the right shredding company is difficult. There’s an abundance of shredding companies out there to choose from that offer various options.

You may be new to the concept of shredding your documents, but choosing a shredding provider is not something you should take lightly.

Shredding companies are your best defense against data breaches and identity theft, which could prevent your business from losing thousands of dollars. It is estimated that data breaches can cost businesses between $36,000 to $50,000 and sometimes even more!

When you’re looking into shredding companies, treat it as though you’re hiring a new employee; you ask questions and interview a few before deciding. This is very much the same process!

But, what to ask a potential shredding company?

First…Do a Bit of Research Yourself

When you’re looking for a business in any capacity, their reputation speaks volumes. What are their reviews like? How long have they been in business? Do they have repeat customers? When you choose a shredding company, you’ll want to ensure they are trustworthy, seeing as they’re handling your sensitive information. And don’t be afraid to reach out to the company and ask them some questions!

Here are a few questions you can ask:

1. Does Your Company Understand All The Shredding Laws?

Shredding your confidential documents is not only for your protection; it’s the law. Federal and state laws dictate that you must shred sensitive information to protect yourself, your business, and your clients. Not only do you have to have an understanding of the laws, but your shredding company should as well.

The shredding company you use should have an understanding of your laws as they pertain to your industry. And, look to see if they’re NAID certified, which means that they meet industry standards for secure destruction.

2. What Are The Policies Towards Recycling And The Environment?

Recycling your papers is imperative. It is estimated that recycling 1 ton of paper saves around 682.5 gallons of oil, 26,500 liters of water, and 17 trees.

Your document destruction company should care about the environment.

Did you know that paper accounts for 25% of landfill waste, and that 50% of a business’s waste is from paper?

Professional shredding companies ensure that all paper is recycled after the job is completed. Some shredding companies also provide safe recycling of e-waste for hard drive destruction.

At Safeshred, we care about the environment. We ensure that 100% of our paper is recycled and use energy-efficient shred trucks. When you work with us, you join our work in helping the environment!

3. Do You Offer Lockable Security Bins?

You may be wondering why this matters, but protecting yourself and your business is a full-time operation, not a one-time fix. In between shredding appointments, you should be storing confidential documents in a lockable, security bin. Many shredding companies offer security bins to accompany their services. Using a lockable bin ensures that your documents are protected until the next shredding appointment!

4. Do You Offer a Certificate of Destruction?

If the worst were to happen and your business got hit with a data breach, you’ll want to ensure that you’re protected. A certificate of destruction is a document that provides proof of your compliance with federal and state shredding laws. Unlike personal office shredders, this can protect you in the event of a data breach.

SafeShred has been providing document destruction services for over 20 years! We serve clients with the highest security requirements and brand standards, including all levels of government agencies, aerospace, medical, legal entertainment, financial and hi-tech industries.

To find out more about our services or policies, give us a call at 1-800-987-4733 or send us a message online. We’re always happy to answer any questions!

Don’t Just Shred. SAFESHRED!