Shredding sensitive documents prevents thieves from stealing information that could put your company at risk. Dumpster divers look for anything that can give them a leg up in their illegal ventures. You don’t want to be the company with its reputation tarnished because of negligence that can be avoided easily. That is why it makes sense to use the services of a NAID AAA paper shredding company. They show up at your location, remove the tamper-proof shred bins, shred the documents onsite, and give you a certificate of destruction. They give you the peace of mind and confidence that any business documents with personal identifying information don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Friendly Reminder to Keep Recycling Costs Down

Since they make your job easier, why not do your part to ensure efficiency at every step? Document shredding companies rely on their clients to put the correct type of recycled material in the bins. Sometimes, things get mixed up. Items that do not belong in a paper shredder find their way in, and it can cause delays and even damage, which can lead to a higher cost of services. You can help by ensuring your team uses the shredding bins correctly.

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place 

The primary use of shred bins is to safely store unwanted documents until your preferred document destruction company empties them. They are convenient and reduce worry about losing records unnecessarily. Here are some simple guidelines to ensure your team uses the receptacles properly:

Items that can go into the shred bin. Let’s start with what is allowed to be placed in the receptacle for document destruction, even if it has staples or paper clips:

• Confidential records
• Outdated printed files and forms
• Manila file folders
• Spiral notebooks
• Presentation papers
• Checks
• Payment copies
• Receipts
• Contact lists
• Employee records
• Strategy development plans
• Private correspondence
• Envelopes
• Official documents
• Medical records
• Boarding passes
• Financial records
• Any document with personally identifiable information (i.e., full name, Social Security Number, driver’s license number, mailing address, credit card number, etc.)
  

Items that should never go into the shredding bin. It shouldn’t go in with the shredding if it isn’t paper. Here are some classic examples of what not to mix with paper products:

• Masks – Most are made with petroleum-based, non-renewable polymers. They are non-biodegradable, meaning they are hazardous to the environment. They are considered contaminated material, which should never be placed in a shred bin.
• Batteries – If a battery leaks, especially one with lithium, it can cause a fire. Used batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode. 
• Garbage – A recycling bin is for recycling only, not someone’s leftover lunch.  
• Syringes
• Glass
• Plastic
• Cans
• Cardboard tubes
• Ink cartridges
• Toner cartridges
• Hanging folders
• Nuts and bolts
• Hard drives
• Offices supplies such as hole punches and staple removers
• 3-ring binders
• X-ray film

Follow Best Practices with Your Document Destruction  

You can make the most of your shredding bins by placing in them all the paper documents you no longer need. Then talk to the team at Crown Information Management about options for destroying hard drives, electronics, office furniture, and x-ray films. We are here to meet your document destruction and records management needs. Learn more when you call us today. 

For timely destruction of documents, products, hard drives, and secure, pest-free storage with a SOC1 Level 2 Report,NAID AAA, and PCI Certified company. Call Crown Information Management at 800-979-9545 or contact us online to learn more about our document storage, destruction, and shredding services.