With environmental issues dominating the headlines, when organisations think about paper waste disposal, one of their first priorities is usually recycling.
And here at ShredPro we think that’s great. With ISO 14001 accreditation, we promote environmentally friendly services and recycle all paper at local paper mills.
However, when it comes to legal compliance with data protection laws, sometimes recycling alone won’t protect your business from a data breach or expensive lawsuit. You need extra security, and that’s where we’re here to help.
The benefits of a document shredding service
Legal compliance
One of the biggest advantages of using a professional document destruction service rather than a standard recycling or waste management service is that the equipment, employee training and processes involved are specifically designed to ensure compliance with legal requirements for data protection.
With a recycling service, this may not be their area of expertise, especially if they collect a large range of different materials for processing. At ShredPro we specialise in paper shredding, so everything we do is focused on ensuring the maximum protection of confidential information.
This is really important for all organisations. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires businesses to protect sensitive data in a secure manner. The Information Commissioner’s Office, which oversees the enforcement of GDPR, says: “You must ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place to protect the personal data you hold.”
Deleting your unrequired data in a secure way, authorised with a shredding certificate of destruction, can help with compliance. The ICO adds: “Deleting records that you no longer need, or are not proportionate to retain any longer, is an essential part of a good records management system.”
A data breach can be expensive
Leaving your sensitive paperwork in the hands of a company that is not an expert in the protection of sensitive information might also come at a financial cost.
The Information Commissioner’s Office has the powers to enforce fines for breaches of data, so compliance with legal requirements is essential. The higher maximum amount for offences is £17.5 million or 4% of the total annual worldwide turnover in the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.
After the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation in 2018, which removed the cap on the fines which the Information Commissioner’s Office could issue, we have seen some of the biggest penalties for data breaches. During 2020/2021, the ICO issued a record amount of £42m in fines.
Investing in a shredding service can also be cost effective in other ways. If a recycling company cannot guarantee that your paperwork will be destroyed securely, then investing in shredding equipment and staff training to carry out the task yourself in-house can add up.
At ShredPro, we charge by weight, so you only pay for what you need to be destroyed, and there is no equipment to buy or extensive staff training required.
A certificate of destruction
Following every paper shredding service, ShredPro will issue you with a certificate of destruction.
This document confirms that your paperwork has been shredded in compliance with data protection regulations and to European standards EN15713, which can help to protect your business from liability.
Our certificate of destruction can also be issued on-site, so you are not waiting for confirmation that your confidential documents have been disposed of and you are therefore no longer liable for them.
Enhanced security
Crimes involving identity theft and information fraud are on the rise. Handing over your paper waste to a recycling company that hasn’t been set up specifically to handle sensitive paperwork can pose an unnecessary risk to your business and the security of your data.
With a professional shredding company like ShredPro, you can rest assured that your confidential documents have been destroyed properly and minimise the chance of identity theft to almost zero.
We have a range of lockable waste containers and security bags available for customers to keep confidential waste safe in the workplace. All consoles, containers and security sacks are delivered and supplied free of charge.
Employees can simply deposit documents in the containers and bags as they are generated. No training or equipment is required.
We provide secure transportation and waste processing facilities and thoroughly vet and train our employees.
We can do your shredding on-site
Most recycling companies will collect waste from your site and transport it away for processing.
However, ShredPro can shred all your paper waste for you at your site, preventing the unnecessary transportation of your sensitive data and giving you extra peace of mind.
Based on your needs and the volume of your paper waste, we can visit your site regularly with our team at the interval of your choice to destroy your documents, allowing you to be present during the destruction process if you wish.
At ShredPro we can shred up to 2,000kg in an hour. This is forty times faster than office shredders and three times faster than some of our competitors.
There is no need for your staff to waste time preparing documents for shredding. As our shredders are industrial, there is no need to remove staples, paper clips, bindings or anything similar. We only ask that you keep plastic to a minimum.
ShredPro recycles 100% of paper
ShredPro recycles 100% of the paper that it shreds. We comply with the environmental management system ISO 14001.
This can help you minimise your environmental impact and demonstrate your commitment to responsible business practice. All our paper is recycled at local UK mills, reducing the impact on the environment and investing in the local economy.
12.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard is used in the UK per year, and it takes 24 trees to make a ton of paper. By recycling paper, we not only prevent further trees being cut down, but the production of recycled paper produces 73% less air pollution than making paper from the raw materials.
ShredPro follows strict processes to help keep confidential information safe at every stage of the waste disposal process, which can’t always be guaranteed by standard recycling and waste management companies.
If you’re looking for a paper shredding company that can provide you with a professional on-site service, contact us today. We offer a variety of paper shredding services to fit your needs, and we’re committed to protecting your data.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our paper shredding services. We are confident that you will be happy with our services.
“ShredPro have provided a reliable and professional shredding service, supplying neat containers that complement the existing office furniture. Monthly collections are carried out by friendly professional staff who collect and destroy all documents on site erasing any concerns we had regarding security. ShredPro provide a very proficient service and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them.”
About ShredPro
ShredPro recycles 100% of the paper we shred, all in compliance with the environmental management system ISO 14001. This ensures that our own environmental impact and therefore those of our customer is controlled. All our paper is recycled at local UK mills, again reducing the impact on the environment and investing in the local economy.
Contact us today to learn more about our paper shredding and recycling services and get your free quote.
