If your document management and disposal strategy consist of simply throwing your documents in the recycling bin, STOP! You are needlessly putting your data security at risk! Also, if you are recycling non-recyclable materials (such as film), you are actually doing more harm then good by releasing dangerous toxins into the ecosystem. It’s very important to make sure that your document destruction plan is environmentally conscious, but what that means based on your different document types can be very different. Here’s a look at what that means.
Film Recycling Done Right
Film recycling is an important option for disposing of records in a way that both protects the information contained within and the environment at the same time. Happy Faces has been providing film recycling services for the medical industry for more than 20 years. Our process meets both EPA and HIPAA standards for disposal and management of these sensitive documents. Here’s how we do it at Happy Faces Records Management:
First, we separate any paper from the film and shred all personally identifiable information (PII) from x-ray jackets. Then grinders reduce film into particle flakes only a half-inch in size making the film unusable and the information contained within incomprehensible. From there the film particles are tested to measure silver content. Silver coatings are separated from the film in an additional four-stage process of chemical burns. Next, the emulsified silver and other coatings are sent to settling tanks. Plastics are then cleaned and sent to recycling companies for reuse in clothing and packaging.
The emulsion mixture is then processed to allow the silver to precipitate and the water is then recycled. The remaining silver is roasted to ash and all traces of water and other impurities are removed. The ash is then smelted until the silver liquefies and cast into ingot molds to cool. The final product is then sent to silver refiners for further processing. This highly detailed process ensures that the film is disposed of in a secure and environmentally friendly manner, while silver is recycled and sent out for reuse.
Related Content: Is Document Destruction More than Tearing Up a Sensitive Piece of Information?
How to Properly Recycle Destroyed Paper Documents
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 reused 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 protect your company from security violations and helps maintain sustainability as a high priority.
Related Article: Why Assured Document Destruction is Important in the Digital Age
For a secure and environmentally responsible strategy for document destruction, connect with the team at Happy Faces Records Management today.
Why not just use your own shredder in-house?
- It’s inefficient. Document shredding takes time and money that can be better spent elsewhere.
- It’s not safe or secure. What does a criminal call a bag of shredded documents? A challenge. With time, determination and ill-intent, most documents can be reconstructed.
- It kills more trees. Shredded paper just goes to the dump. We recycle everything from paper to optical media to film, safely and conveniently.
- It makes a mess. Who needs random paper bits and dust all over the office?
HF Services offers two services for destruction of material:
Recurring Service
We’ll provide your office with secure, coded consoles for your sensitive documents. They will blend seamlessly with your décor and feature side rather than top access, so that you won’t accidentally send takeout menus or a pop tart for shredding.
Ancillary Service
Securely dispose of just a box of files or a whole truckload. We’ll come to your office at your convenience.
Not sure who’s showing up at your door to pick up your documents? No worries – our drivers are bonded, background checked and bound to confidentiality agreements.
