Despite advances in paperless productivity, most businesses still inevitably create a large amount of hard copy documents and records. The question of what to do when those documents no longer are needed becomes one of combined convenience and security. Once documents are properly destroyed, do you know how to go about disposing of the remaining material in a eco-friendly and responsible manner? Here are the hows and whys of destroyed document recycling to help your business maintain security while being environmentally responsible.
The Trouble with Shredding
You likely have heard your local recycling and waste management service state that shredded paper should not go in the recycling bin. There is a very important reason for this. Shredded paper, particularly that created on a non-commercial premises (i.e. with a paper shredder), has less fiber value than whole or even torn sheets of paper. The act of shredding cuts the paper fibers into very short pieces which, while generally good for protecting your privacy, have a tendency to pass right through the paper making screens at the paper plant and end up becoming waste. Additionally, shredded paper often includes pieces of non-recyclable material including stickers and plastic which can do real damage to recycling equipment.
The Importance of Recycling
All these factors can have a sharp impact in how much paper gets recycled, particularly on a commercial level. With increasing concerns about security and privacy, companies know that they need to protect sensitive information with sound document destroying strategies. That said, paper recycling is one of the most important things a business can do to promote eco-consciousness and sustainable business practices. Recycling helps conserve limited resources and the material is readily and easily put back into productive use. Paper in particular accounts for about half of all recyclables collected in the U.S. (by weight). According to the U.S. EPA, about 43 million tons of paper and paperboard were recovered in 2013 alone, which is about equal to 275 pounds for each person living in the country. What’s more, every ton of paper recycled saves more than 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space.
How to Recycle Destroyed Documents
So, how do companies balance the need for security and their desire to become more environmentally sustainable? If you are not working with a professional document management service such as Happy Faces Records Management, your choices are limited. Shredded paper can be re-used as packing material, animal bedding, or even put in curbside compost bins if properly layered with water, food scraps, and yard waste. Commercial shredded paper may be accepted so long as it is completely free of plastic and metal and contained within clear plastic bags. However, this is not appropriate for highly confidential documents as sensitive information may still be reconstructed, which can result in privacy violations and possible legal action.
The best course of action is to entrust your sensitive documents to a responsible document management service provider such as Happy Faces Records Management. As part of a secure shredding program, our team of expert document management professionals delivers your records to a secure shredding facility where the paper is professionally shredded beyond potential reconstruction then sent directly to the pulping mill for recycling. The security and convenience of a document management partner protects your company from security violations and helps maintain sustainability as a high priority.
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