How Shred America Helps Clients Fulfill ESG Commitments
It has become very popular for organizations to boast about their dedication to environmental, social, and governance issues. The acronym ESG fills annual corporate reports, anchors investment strategies, and permeates the political lexicon. It now represents the three-legged stool that, from a public relations perspective, tells the general public whether an organization is a responsible citizen.
It makes sense, therefore, that when hiring service providers, organizations should be
evaluating how such vendors will contribute to their own ESG profile. As you might have
guessed, Shred America excels in that regard.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Shred America reprocesses 100% of the recyclable media it destroys. Whether it’s shredded paper or computer hard drives, virtually all of it is reused. In fact, if these materials were shredded in-house, they would likely end up in a landfill. As a result, using Shred America to protect sensitive media is actually one of the most significant elements of our clients' environmental responsibility efforts.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
By using Shred America’s services, our clients are supporting a veteran-owned business, that also strives to give US military veterans meaningful, rewarding livelihoods. Though we have a fast-growing national footprint, Shred America is structured as a network of locally operated, independent operations. In both cases, our clients’ support fits squarely into their own social priorities.
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE
There are few, if any, secured destruction service provider who contribute to their clients’ governance priorities as well as Shred America. Because of our internal capabilities, including an internationally recognized Data Protection Officer, global certifications, and state of the art policies and contracts, we not only exceed compliance with all data protection regulations, but we also have the unique capability to help our clients understand and meet their own compliance requirements. Whether it is helping draft their required disposition policies and procedures, responding to regulators’ questions, or simply answering our client questions on any data-related regulation, we can help.
It is important to keep in mind that when a secure destruction service is not compliant, their clients are also non-compliant. Therefore, Shred America efforts are critical to our clients’ compliance, again, fitting squarely into their governance mandate.
Ironically, while misaligned governance is the most likely to get an organization in trouble, it is also the most misunderstood and overlooked ESG priority. Happily, Shred America clients don’t have to worry about that.
SAY “NO” TO VENDOR ESG-WASHING
Unfortunately, because clients are looking for service providers who can boost their ESG profile, many vendors misrepresent their capabilities. It’s known as “ESG- washing,” and the fact that there is a name for it indicates just how widespread it’s become.
Pressing service providers on such claims is one of the best ways to see if they are
walking the walk. It’s one thing to claim ESG is a priority, but it is much harder to explain
how they actually contribute to clients' ESG efforts.
Of course, the other option is to contact Shred America. We more than welcome such
conversations and we are more than ready to serve.