Many offices and businesses get through significant amounts of paper each year and there are a number of good reasons why shredding paper is a good idea.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!1. To reduce the risk of fraud/identity theft
Many paper/printed documents contain sensitive information. If these details are left complete and readable and just thrown away as normal rubbish, there is a risk of them being used for fraudulent purposes, including identity theft. Criminals can use the details to enter into contracts for items such as mobile phones or to open bank accounts and take out loans.
Businesses should ensure that all employees are trained on confidentiality/shredding procedures.
2. To comply with GDPR
EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) came into force in 2018 and put extra onus on organisations as to how they handle information, especially customer data. It outlines how data should be collected, stored, and secured. Regular shredding demonstrates that you are taking proactive measures to prevent data protection breaches.
3. To be environmentally responsible
If paper is shredded by specialists it can be baled, recycled, and made into products such as newspapers, tissues, paper cups, and even egg boxes. This is a great use of waste paper and an excellent way to show off your environmental credentials and reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint. Make sure that your paper shredding partner does this rather than dumping everything in the landfill.
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), more than 50 million tons of paper was recovered for recycling in 2021, a recycling rate of 68% .
If you are looking into confidential paper shredding Swindon or elsewhere, there are some useful resources on websites of specialists offering the service such as the examples seen here: www.printwaste.co.uk/confidential-shredding/confidential-shredding-swindon.
4. To get rid of irrelevant paperwork and only keep what you need
Having a ‘shred-everything’ culture means that you don’t keep old or random documents that serve little purpose. You can even shred more recent documents once you have scanned and stored the digital versions (where hard copy originals are not required legally).
5. To take up less space and be tidier
A tidy desk equals a tidy mind (or so they say). Digitising as much as possible and getting rid of excess paperwork will help you feel more organised. This is also doing your bit for the environment and reducing the chances of important papers being stolen.