Shredding Q&A
Have questions about how our shredding service works?
Here are a few answers to our most commonly asked questions in our shredding Q&A.
Q. Our office is ‘paper free’. Why do we need a shredding service?
A. With even the best efforts, today’s offices are far from paper free. Whilst we may have cut down on printing out emails or huge policy documents, there are still many files that need to be printed. Sometimes it’s just easier to read and fully digest if it’s printed. Plus, the demand for notepads is still strong, despite notetaking functions being available on PC’s, tablets and phones.
Shredding is not limited to paper either. A shredding company will also shred your old hard drives to keep your data secure. So in this respect, employing a shredding company is vital for data compliance.
Q. We don’t have as much shredding as we used to, can we reduce the frequency of our collections?
A. Yes! Many shredding companies can fully flex to your evolving needs. If you find you only need a shredding service on an ad-hoc basis then this can also be accommodated with our one-off shredding service.
Q. What happens to my documents during the shredding process?
A. If you have opted for an on-site shredding service, the shredding provider will empty your wheelie bins or shredding sacks into shredding trucks which contain an in-built industrial shredder. Your paper is shredded at your place of work before your very eyes!
If you have chosen to shred ‘off-site’ then your waste is taken back to one of our depots for shredding.
All paper is then baled and sent to paper mills for recycling.
Q. How do I comply with GDPR in relation to shredding?
A. It’s quite simple to comply with GDPR if you have the right information to make a plan. By using lock and slot consoles that are tamper-free, you can ensure that once the item is posted, it’s only retrievable by the shredding company who have access to the cabinet. Your business may already have a policy in relation to what needs to be shredded daily, and an idea of how long to keep company records for before removal. In relation to electronic data, any hard drives must be shredded to retain data integrity as well as to avoid polluting the environment.
If you require any assistance with compliance with GDPR then The Shredding Alliance will conduct a tailor-made solution to help you to avoid a data breach.
Q. Is shredding environmentally friendly?
A. Shredding is a great way of helping to preserve our environment. All the paper collected from you is recycled, and any metals, glass or other material within your old electronic items are repurposed during the shredding process.
Shredding trucks have a clearly planned daily route to ensure that CO2 emissions are kept to a minimum. As many of our shredding trucks work in ‘real time’ the shredding is carried out on the move to save time and energy.
Q. Will I be tied into a lengthy contract?
Not with The Shredding Alliance. We’re a flexible organisation and don’t believe in tying you into a long immovable contract. We’re confident you’ll carry on using us due to our high service levels and competitive pricing.
Q. My business is quite small. Can’t I just make do with a small office shredder?
A. A small office shredder is great for the odd piece of paper. One of the main restrictions of using one is that it can be tricky to recycle the shredded paper you create, as many councils refuse to take it. If you have a fairly small requirement, you could pool together with other businesses in your vicinity to make a service more cost effective.
Q. How can I start using a shredding service?
A. Simply call The Shredding Alliance to arrange an audit and service to suit your exact requirements, and we’ll handle the rest.