Any serious business knows that document shredding is imperative as far as security goes. Shredding makes the contents of a document challenging to discern, minimising the risk of security breaches. Besides creating more storage space in your office, document shredding aligns perfectly with recycling initiatives. Unfortunately, most offices are exposed to a lot of misinformation regarding recycling shredded papers. This article highlights common myths about the recycling of shredded documents.

Myth #1: Shredded Paper Is Unrecyclable

One of the most common myths is that shredded documents cannot be recycled. It stems from the fact that shredding significantly shortens the fibres on printing papers. However, while you cannot get high-quality printing paper from recycled shredded documents, the material is ideal for making tissue and towels. The reason is that the two products have shorter fibres suitable for delicate applications. Therefore, the next time you shred office documents, do not mix them with non-recyclables. It makes the sorting process easier because the shredded paper is difficult to work with when combined with different types of waste.

Myth #2: They Cannot Recycle Shredded Paper in Office

The best thing about working with commercial document shredding companies is that they can easily accommodate many records at a time. Additionally, commercial paper shredders take shredded pieces straight to recycling plants. However, it does not mean that you cannot recycle shredded documents in-house. Even if you hire commercial shredders, they can still perform the task at your premises and leave you with the remains. In fact, you can recycle shredded documents in various ways at the office. For instance, you can use shredded documents for packaging fragile items or mulch for an office garden. The recycling opportunities for shredded documents are limitless, which is good news for small offices that shred records in-house.

Myth #3: You Can't Trust Recyclers With Shredded Documents

Although reputable paper shredders only work with trustworthy recyclers, you may wonder whether you can let your guard down. Luckily, there are things you could do to feel a bit better about your experience. To ensure full-proof recycling of shredded papers, you can shred documents haphazardly. For example, rather than shred accounting documents of the same financial year together, you can mix some of the batches with records from other departments such as human resources. It prevents shredded documents with similar information from falling into the wrong hands. You can also work with shredders and recyclers who already come highly recommended.

To learn more about your options, contact local document shredding services. 

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