Shredding is a critical component of secure document disposal. It ensures that confidential information is in the right hands, protecting individuals and businesses from identity theft and other security risks. But shredding has another important benefit: sustainability. When documents are shredded, they can be recycled, reducing waste and conserving resources. This Earth Day, we should celebrate the role that secure shredding plays in creating a more sustainable future.
The Importance Of Secure Shredding
Identity theft is a growing problem, with millions of people affected yearly. One of the primary ways that criminals obtain personal information is through discarded documents. Simply throwing away papers with sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or bank account information, can leave individuals vulnerable to fraud.
Secure shredding helps to prevent identity theft by destroying documents in a way that makes it impossible to read or reconstruct the information. Shredded documents are typically reduced to tiny pieces, making it nearly impossible to recover meaningful data. This makes it much harder for criminals to access sensitive information, reducing the risk of identity theft and fraud.
In addition to protecting individuals from security risks, secure shredding is critical for businesses. Companies are responsible for sensitive information that’s about their customers, employees, and financial transactions. Failing to dispose of this information correctly can result in legal and economic consequences and damage the company’s reputation.
Businesses can use a professional shredding service to ensure that their confidential information is disposed of properly. Shredding companies typically provide secure collection and transport of documents and a certificate of destruction that verifies that the records have been properly destroyed. Shredding helps businesses meet their legal and ethical obligations related to document disposal.
The Sustainability Benefits Of Shredding
Secure shredding has an additional benefit beyond security: sustainability. When shredding, documents can be recycled and turned into new products, and this reduces waste and conserves resources, making shredding an essential part of any sustainable document disposal strategy.
Recycling paper has many environmental benefits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, recycling paper conserves resources, reduces landfill space, and saves energy. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as recycling paper requires less energy than producing new pulp. Recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
By shredding documents and recycling the resulting paper, individuals and businesses can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. This is especially important given the amount of paper produced and discarded yearly. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the United States had over 70 million tons of paper and paperboard in 2020; over 60% of that was recovered for recycling. While this is a positive trend, there is still significant room for improvement, especially regarding secure document disposal.
Tips For Sustainable Document Practice
In addition to using a sustainable shredding service, there are other steps that individuals and businesses can take to reduce their environmental impact when disposing of documents. Here are some tips for sustainable document disposal:
Use Recycled Paper
When you need to print, choose paper made from recycled materials. Look for paper with high post-consumer content, which means it’s made from recycled paper rather than virgin pulp.
Implement A Regular Document Shredding Routine
Establishing a regular document shredding routine is a great way to ensure your important papers are safe and adequately disposed of. It may seem like another chore that adds to your already busy schedule. However, it can save you from identity theft and other undesirable outcomes. Plus, it has the added benefit of being environmentally friendly!
Set Up A Recycling Program
Make it easy to recycle paper by setting up a recycling program in your home or office. Provide recycling bins in convenient locations and educate everyone on what can and cannot be recycled.
Choose Sustainable Packaging
When mailing, shipping documents, or purchasing paper, consider sustainable packaging options. Choose eco-friendly materials such as cardboard boxes and biodegradable bubble wrap that are durable enough to protect the contents while respecting the environment.
Secure shredding is a critical component of document disposal, helping to protect individuals and businesses from security risks. But shredding also has a vital sustainability benefit: it allows documents to be recycled, reducing waste and conserving resources. This Earth Day, we should celebrate the role that secure shredding plays in creating a more sustainable future.
When choosing Security Shredding Enterprises for your document destruction needs, you can rest assured that we prioritize sustainability with our eco-friendly practices and commitment to preserving resources. Contact us today to learn how we can help you take your document destruction needs to the next level.
