Where is the safest place to shred documents?

If you’re responsible for your organisation’s confidential or commercial information, you’ll probably wonder where the best place is to shred your documents.

If you aren’t feeling confident about where to shred your documents safely, that’s okay. Taking the step to learn about secure document disposal and exploring your options is a great way to get started and shows that you’re taking your responsibilities seriously. However, steps must be taken to ensure that your organisation complies with GDPR by disposing of unwanted confidential or personal information securely.

In a YouGov survey conducted by the BSIA in August 2023, it was found that 31% of micro-businesses, 19% of small businesses, 8% of medium businesses, and 3% of large businesses surveyed had no paper waste stream at their organisation, neither for recycling nor for confidential documents! It would be very surprising if these businesses had no paperwork at all when you consider items such as invoices, notes that staff make, applicant CVs, HR files and more. This could indicate that a huge amount of paperwork is currently being improperly disposed of. So, if that’s your current situation and you’re now considering your options, or if you’re halfway there with proper waste segregation for confidential materials in place, you’re heading in the right direction.

So, where is the safest place to shred documents?

Should I shred at the office? Do I need a shredder?

We do not recommend self-shredding at your offices, but the good news is that you can have your confidential materials destroyed at your premises by using a secure mobile shredding service supplier.

The best part is – no! You don’t need your own shredder! Office shredders take up space, take a long time to destroy even low volumes of paperwork, are dangerous to operate, and are very expensive to maintain. Plus, you’ll still be left with the issue of what to do with your shredded fragments.

An on-site/mobile shredding service provider will come to your premises in a secure vehicle. Onboard this vehicle will be an industrial shredding machine. With on-site services, you can even watch the shredding take place from ground level for total peace of mind.

The most important thing to bear in mind is that not all shredding companies are the same. Look for a fully accredited supplier that is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Cyber Essentials, PCI DSS Level 1, and SafePQQ as a minimum. You should also ensure that your supplier is a member of the BSIA (British Security Industry Association) and UKSSA (United Kingdom Security Shredding Association). UKSSA membership in particular involves a full audit to ensure that member companies are fully compliant with EN15713 shredding standards. If a shredding company meets these standards and holds UKSSA membership, it indicates that they are using only BS7858 vetted employees and has the proper security measures in place to keep your confidential materials safe.

Can I shred my materials at a secure location?

Yes! Reputable shredding companies will have physical premises, and it is a huge red flag if they don’t! We recommend asking for photos of the premises or checking Google Business pages for reviews of the site.

Shred Station has three super destruction centres across the UK: Essex, Norfolk, and Manchester. If you are local to one of these depots, you are more than welcome to drop your materials off when pre-booked with our sales team. We also offer off-site shredding services UK-wide in addition to our on-site services. With an off-site service, we will collect your materials using our lockable blue wheelie bins. Then we will transport them back to our secure destruction facilities and shred them in line with EN15713 standards.

Our destruction centres process over 60,000 tonnes of paperwork each year, so your materials are in experienced and security-vetted hands.

It’s worth noting that destruction centres must follow strict safety and security measures. Because of this, they may not permit you to witness the shredding. That’s actually a good sign. After all, would you want anyone to be able to turn up and see your paperwork in the load going into the shredder?

What is the best way to dispose of confidential documents?

There is no blanket answer to how to best dispose of your confidential documents. It is up to you to decide what is best for your organisation. If your paperwork is particularly sensitive, you may prefer the peace of mind that an on-site service brings. If you want a cost-effective and fast option, off-site shredding may be best for you. All of Shred Station’s services comply with GDPR and EN 15713 standards, so whichever service you choose, your materials will be safe. Shred Station also provides a Waste Transfer Note and Certificate of Destruction after every service for your compliance records.

Feel free to get in touch with our team of experts to see how we can help you.

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