A common question we get at FileShred is “What happens to the paper after it’s shredded?” It’s an understandable query given the incredibly high volume of paper we shred through on a regular basis. Shredding paper obviously doesn’t make it disappear. We’re still left with the same amount of paper, which raises an environmental concern. It’s an issue we at FileShred thought about early on into our business. We wanted people to be safely relieved of their documents, but we also wanted to be sustainable and environmentally conscious. So, what’s the solution? Paper recycling, and a lot of it. Every ton of paper we shred saves 17 trees!
It’s important to note that it’s not wise to skip the shredding step. Putting paper that contains sensitive information into a recycling bin poses the same security threat as putting it in a trash bin. Your information can still be collected and can fall into the wrong hands, so it’s important to sufficiently shred before recycling. Occasionally we run into further questions about where shredded paper goes, so we’ve consolidated them into three main questions with answers below.
Can shredded paper even be recycled properly?
Yes, as long as it’s shredded to an appropriate size and doesn’t include too many contaminants.
Can my information be stolen during the recycling process?
No. The equipment FileShred uses to shred paper is highly efficient, leaving your documents finely shredded. Our professional drivers so to it that your paper shreds are contained and transported to the recycling facility securely. Once at the facility, your shreds are mixed in with other paper recycling materials, so the likelihood of compiling your shreds and piecing them together in a way that any useful information could be derived from is profoundly unlikely.
What does my recycled paper become?
Most likely, it will be recycled into new paper products, though it could become packing material, home insulation, or even furniture!
The bottom line is that it’s totally safe to recycle shredded paper and we take every measure possible to do it in an environmentally-friendly way. If you’re in need of paper shredding services, don’t hesitate to call us at (855) 54-SHRED. For further questions on how we shred paper or what happens after, feel free to contact us on our site.
