A paper shredding service is a service used by businesses to destroy confidential and sensitive documents. Rather than throwing sensitive material into the dumpster where it could be stolen, shredding the documents is a safeguard against theft. Hiring a paper shredder service is a valuable investment for most businesses.
In many places, businesses such as banks, financial institutions and medical facilities are required by law to protect the confidentiality and security of patrons. Breaking this law could result in legal penalties and fines. Even in locations where it is not required by law, most businesses seek to not only protect their customers or clients from identity theft and a loss of confidential material, but also the business itself from corporate espionage and other threats.
Though it is possible for a business to purchase one or more paper shredders for this purpose, this incurs more expense and uses company time. Paper shredders will likely need to be purchased regularly, as the machines can break down and fail. For a business or even a homeowner with a high volume of documents, a paper shredding service can give peace of mind.
Most paper shredding services offer a few options. The first option is for the service to come directly to the business and shred the large volume of documents onsite using their equipment, and then dispose of the paper for you. The second option is a good bet for homeowners or small business owners — the documents that need to be shredded are boxed and shipped securely to the service, where they are shredded and disposed of. For highly sensitive documents, the first option is likely a better choice.
Some paper shredding services will also offer the option of renting a shredder or several, and allowing the employees of the business to shred their own documents. When the shredding is finished, the shredder is returned. You are free to choose the service that is most beneficial for your business. Some services come on an as-needed basis, while others allow the business to schedule regular visits.
Aside from shredding legal documents, financial statements and medical records, a paper shredding service might offer other options. Some offer the ability to destroy hard drives as well, along with other media such as CDs or DVDs. Additionally, most paper shredding services recycle the shredded documents, reducing landfill waste and helping the environment. Most services can complete the work in a relatively short period of time; usually within one day or even just a few hours.