How to Be Eco-Friendly: Paper Shredding

When people think about document destruction services, they usually think of identity theft prevention. And yes, that is one of the main benefits of shredding documents, especially when they contain sensitive information pertaining to business finances or medical files. This alone is a great reason to hire a corporate shredding service, which can help guarantee the safety of your business and clients.

Identity theft can cause a loss of money, personal property, and even credibility — 70% of identity theft victims have trouble getting rid of negative information from the records, and 11% said that it even had an impact on them being able to get jobs. And if a business accidentally compromises their clients’ personal info, the damage done to their brand’s reputation can be fatal.

But there is another benefit to document destruction and paper shredding services…

The Environmental Benefits of Paper Shredding Might Surprise You

This might be especially appealing for companies that are looking to improve their track record with the environment. It may be a small step, but hiring a document shredding company is still a step closer to going green.

Consider this: Every year, one single office worker uses about 10,000 sheets of paper, and presumably most of that paper ends up in the municipal landfill. Many offices use recycling services, but the actual credibility of those services can be questionable. Recycled goods don’t always end up where they’re supposed to.

On the other hand, a document shredding company has close-knit partnerships with recycling companies, especially since it’s much easier to recycle shredded paper than paper that is still intact.

Shredded paper also has many other uses outside of the recycling plant. Consider using them as packaging material, in composting, and even as stuffing for certain building components.

Recycled paper requires about 65% less energy, 50% less water, and causes 70% less pollution than paper products made from wood in the environment. The environmental impact of producing new paper products is very high, but can easily be prevented by the low cost of recycled paper. Shredding documents through a service that then recycles the shredded materials will protect the trees, the earth, and the atmosphere. Indeed, by shredding your sensitive documents, you are effectively making a difference in the lives of your customers, employees, and community.

Contact Shred America today to figure out how your company can protect sensitive information while also improving your green track record.