You’ve probably heard people say that you need to shred your company’s documents before disposing of them. But have you ever stopped to think why this is true?
Here are 3 of the top reasons for shredding company documents before throwing them away.
It’s Good for the Environment
First off, shredding your paper can be a fantastic way for your business to do its part for the environment. That’s because any reliable shredding company will have steps in place to recycle shredded paper so it can be reused to make new products.
For example, shredded paper can be used for:
- Packing paper.
- Kitty litter.
- Kindling.
- Mulch.
- Composting material.
- New paper products.
- Cardboard.
- Napkins.
- Paper towel.
- Magazines.
- Newspapers.
- More!
Data shows that the average office worker will print 10,000 sheets of paper on an annual basis. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these sheets of paper will become outdated in 3 months or less.
Because of this rapid turnover rate, if you’re not recycling your shredded paper, you risk significantly increasing your company’s carbon footprint.
It Keeps Your Business Compliant
Another reason why it’s important to shred your workplace documents is that it will ensure your business remains compliant with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
PIPEDA was initiated in 2004 and is a part of Canada’s privacy laws that were put in place to keep the confidential information of businesses and their clients safe.
This act makes it clear to business owners that they need to follow important protocols when managing sensitive documents and information. One of the core guidelines under the PIPEDA act is that data containing personal information that is no longer required to fulfill a purpose should be destroyed.
That means any forms, applications, contracts, or other documents that are no longer needed in paper form should be shredded and recycled immediately.
It Protects Company and Customer Information
Unfortunately, data theft is a major problem faced today by businesses of all kinds, in several different areas across the globe. Something as simple as a few digits from an account number can get into the wrong hands and cause a multitude of security issues for a business if that information is used for nefarious purposes.
Luckily, you can prevent this from happening by making sure your business has a secure and effective data destruction policy. Because most businesses still print the majority of their documents, this strategy needs to include shredding.
It’s also important to note that simple shredding might not be enough. In order to completely eliminate the risk of those with ulterior motives recovering your information, be sure to hire a shredding service that uses cross-cut technology.
Unlike vertical shredders you often see in offices, cross-cut shredders make it virtually impossible for documents to be reconstructed.
Need a Paper Shredding Service in Edmonton?
Western Archives is the best choice to handle your Edmonton business’s paper-shredding needs. Contact them today to learn more about how their paper shredding service can help keep your company’s data safe!