Recycling companies, shredding services…
…whether you are preparing for a big move or simply looking to “clean house,” getting rid of unwanted office “junk” can be stressful.
There are many important considerations.
- How do you find the best recycling and shredding service companies partners?
- What important steps must be taken to respect and protect confidentiality?
- What is the environmental and community impact of this “waste”?
Let’s break this down.
Shredding Services vs Recycling Companies
Recycling your company’s paper waste (as well as plastics) is without a doubt the right thing to do for the planet!
Considering an in-office shredder and a professional recycling service? Think again!
Simply placing shredded documents in a non-secure recycling bin may not provide the level of confidentiality your company requires.
A professional shredding service is by far the best way to protect confidentiality.
Shredding Best Practices
When selecting a paper shredding service provider, be meticulous and ask about the Chain of Custody processes. If a shredding service can’t answer this question, that’s an important red flag!
Setup up secure consoles around your office building. Train staff to drop unwanted paper waste in these consoles.
Double-check with your service provider to ensure these documents are also transported the right way, securely!
Finally, always ask for Proof of Destruction documentation from your paper shredding services provider.
Recycling Best Practices
Keep in mind when it comes to recycling paper waste, not all paper products are recyclable.
If you are using non-recyclable paper products to print confidential information, there are two things to consider.
- Can your team start printing said information on paper that is recyclable? If for some reason the answer is no then…
- You’ll need two secure portals at every shredding drop point? One for recyclable paper and one for non-recyclable paper.
Note: It will also be important to confirm with your shredding service provider that they do in fact recycle the waste once it has been shredded.
It is also possible that your office has non-confidential paper waste. This paper waste does not need to be shredded, but ideally would still be recycled. You will also want to recycle non-paper waste, such as plastics and metals.
And of course, some non-paper office “junk” (like some paper waste), will not be recyclable at all. Conduct an inventory review to identify these types of waste. Whenever possible identify better alternatives to the landfill. For example, batteries and hazardous waste need special attention, whereas old furniture or hardware can often be donated or upcycled.
Source:
https://www.richardsandrichards.com/the-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-document-destruction-company/
https://www.confidata.com/news/paper-shredding/need-know-hiring-shredding-company/
https://www.shrednations.com/2016/10/the-differences-between-recycling-and-shredding-paper/
https://www.budgetdumpster.com/blog/upcycling-vs-recycling/
