Thought shredding machines were just for paper?

Think again!

In a world full of all types of waste, shredding machines play a huge role in dismantling and recycling many different materials. For many businesses it’s the first choice to remove all types of waste, not just for confidential paper.

So, besides paper, what else do our shredding machines shred?

Plastic

We accept all plastics for secure shredding, including discontinued products or those produced in error, IT equipment and any other product that contains plastic. Plastics and any other materials contained within the product are shredded and then separated into their different components. Waste is minimised as many plastics can be recycled with ease. Our shredding machines are tough and able to shred materials to 4mm minimum.

E-waste

We are in the midst of an e-waste crisis. The amount of technology that is discarded per year is continually on the rise. E-waste is classified as any item with a plug, but also includes mobile phones and other touchscreen devices. Many electronic items contain sensitive information stored on a hard drive that needs to be shredded separately before the rest of the electronic item is shredded. Any batteries also need to be removed prior to shredding. Lithium batteries are fully recyclable, the lithium being classed a valuable commodity.

Hard drives

Hard disk drives should never be thrown away with the general rubbish. They contain personal or business information that could be exposed to data hackers if not properly removed. Erasing a hard disk drive is not sufficient enough to protect the data contained within. Instead, ensure you have a backup and send the drive to be securely shredded so it can no longer be recognised. A professional shredding company will then recycle the valuable metals contained in the drive.

Uniforms & branded workwear

Any piece of clothing containing your company logo should be shredded if it is no longer in use. If your company has re-branded or your workwear is looking tired, then you’ll need to dispose of the redundant items responsibly. The best way to do this is to send them for professional shredding. This way, your brand is protected from fraud and you have peace of mind that the items do not end up in landfill.

What must never be shredded:

Batteries

Batteries can cause a fire if they are shredded due to sparks flying and setting off the rest of the material in the truck. These items can be removed and recycled separately. AA batteries may be taken to any store that sells them where they are responsibly recycled. Alternatively, use rechargeable batteries that have a longer lifespan.

Coffee Cups

Unfortunately, at present, due to the mixed materials that go into making coffee cups, these cannot be shredded. You can ensure these do not end up in landfill finding your nearest recycling point.

Matches or lighters

Due to the fire risk, these items must not be shredded. Lighters should be treated as a hazardous material and taken to household recycling centres for proper disposal. An alternative to a disposable lighter is to purchase a refillable version.

Film

Film reel is flammable so cannot be shredded. Old films or photo negatives contain chemical coatings and should be taken to specialists for responsible disposal.

Magnets

Items containing magnets cannot be recycled. You can reuse magnets, repurpose them as a gift or donate to charity to ensure they do not end up in landfill.

Our shredding machines are ready to handle any task! Give us a call for a quote to shred your waste materials.