Secure Document Shredding Services
HIPAA-compliant mobile and off-site paper destruction for businesses and residents
Mobile on-site shredding at your location
HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA compliant
Scheduled and one-time purge services
Certificate of destruction provided
Popular Document Shredding Services Searches
Professional Document Destruction Services
We provide secure document shredding services that protect your confidential information and ensure regulatory compliance.
Mobile On-Site Shredding: Shred truck comes to your location, watch your documents destroyed through truck camera, process completed in minutes, never leaves your sight, most secure option available, available for businesses and residents, perfect for regular scheduled service.
Off-Site Shredding: Documents placed in locked bins, regular pickup schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), transported to secure facility, industrial shredding equipment, lower cost than mobile, good for ongoing programs, still very secure with chain of custody.
One-Time Purge Shredding: Clean out file rooms, storage areas, old records, moving or closing business, estate cleanouts, spring cleaning, can handle thousands of pounds, mobile or off-site options available.
Scheduled Shredding Programs: Regular service (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly), locked console or bins provided, consistent destruction schedule, maintains compliance, prevents accumulation, preferred for ongoing businesses.
Hard Drive Shredding: Physical destruction of hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, CDs, DVDs, backup tapes, complete data security, meets DOD standards, certificates provided, more secure than software wiping, IT asset disposition.
Product Destruction: Defective products, counterfeit goods, recalled items, expired pharmaceuticals, branded materials, protects brand reputation, prevents gray market sales, complete destruction verification.
Shredding Service Pricing & Cost Factors
Document shredding costs vary based on service type, frequency, and volume. Understanding pricing helps you choose the best option.
Mobile On-Site Shredding Pricing: Residential one-time: $100-$200 (5-10 banker boxes) Small business one-time: $150-$400 (up to 20 boxes) Scheduled service: $50-$150 per month (1-4 box pickups) Large purge: $100-$150 per hour or $10-$20 per box
Off-Site Shredding Pricing: Console service: $25-$75 per month (includes bin and pickup) Per pound pricing: $0.10-$0.30 per pound Bulk pricing: $50-$100 per pickup for large volumes Typically 30-40% less than mobile shredding
Hard Drive Destruction: Per drive pricing: $5-$15 per hard drive Bulk pricing (50+ drives): $3-$8 per drive Includes physical shredding and certificate Often combined with document shredding service
What Affects Cost: Volume (more documents = lower per-pound cost), frequency (scheduled service cheaper than one-time), service type (off-site less than mobile), location (urban areas may cost more), same-day service (premium pricing), weekend/after-hours (20-30% upcharge).
What's Included: Shredding equipment and labor, secure transportation, certificate of destruction, recycling of shredded paper, compliance documentation, locked bins or consoles for scheduled service, pickup and delivery.
Cost Savings Tips: Schedule regular service vs. accumulating for purge, combine shredding needs (all departments at once), use off-site for non-confidential documents, proper bin sizing (not too large or small), purge old records before starting service, train staff on what to shred vs. recycle, negotiate multi-year contracts for best rates.
Compliance & Legal Requirements
Many industries have legal requirements for document destruction. Proper shredding ensures compliance and protects against data breaches.
HIPAA Requirements: Applies to healthcare providers, health plans, clearinghouses, business associates Requirements: Secure disposal of PHI, shredding required, certified vendors with BAA, maintain destruction records Penalties: $100-$50,000 per violation, up to $1.5M per year, criminal charges possible
FACTA Requirements: Applies to any business using consumer credit reports Requirements: Properly dispose of consumer information, shredding is required method Penalties: FTC fines up to $3,500 per violation, class action lawsuits
GLBA Requirements: Applies to financial institutions Requirements: Information security program, proper disposal (shredding), due diligence on vendors Penalties: $100,000-$500,000+ fines, criminal penalties up to $250,000 and 5 years
State Privacy Laws: California CCPA/CPRA, Virginia VCDPA, Colorado CPA require proper disposal Breach notification laws triggered by improper disposal
Document Retention: IRS: Tax records 7 years Legal: Litigation files 7+ years HR: Personnel files 7 years post-termination Don't shred too early but don't keep unnecessarily
Certification Requirements: NAID AAA Certification - Industry standard, background-checked employees, secure chain of custody, proper insurance, certificate for every service.
Data Security & Information Protection
Improper document disposal is a leading cause of data breaches. Secure shredding protects against identity theft and corporate espionage.
Data Breach Statistics: 43% of breaches involve small businesses, average cost: $4.35 million, 88% involve human error, dumpster diving accounts for significant theft, stolen documents in 64% of identity theft, 60% of small businesses close within 6 months of breach.
Shredding Standards: Strip cut: Long strips, can be reassembled, NOT secure Cross-cut: Confetti pieces (~4x50mm), suitable for most documents, meets compliance Micro-cut: Tiny particles (~2x15mm), highest security, DOD standards, top secret documents
NAID Certification: Industry standard for destruction, certifies mobile shredding, plant-based shredding, hard drive destruction Look for current certification displayed
Security Measures: Locked bins at all times, background-checked employees, bonded and insured, GPS tracking on trucks, security cameras, two-person chain of custody, detailed certificates
Employee Training: Clear shred policy, accessible bins, regular training, poster reminders, consequences for non-compliance, "when in doubt, shred" culture
Clean Desk Policy: No documents left overnight, lock cabinets when away, shred drafts, clear printer immediately, password-protect computers, escort visitors
Digital Security: Shred hard drives when disposing, destroy USBs/CDs/tapes, wipe smartphones, destroy printer hard drives, secure cloud backup devices.
What Documents Should Be Shredded
Not everything needs shredding, but many documents contain sensitive information requiring secure destruction.
Personal Documents: Tax returns (after 7 years), bank statements, credit card statements, pay stubs, medical records, insurance documents, investment statements, utility bills with account numbers, pre-approved credit offers, old IDs/licenses, Social Security copies.
Business Documents: Financial: Statements, cancelled checks, expense reports, old invoices, payroll records, tax docs (after 7 years) HR: Resumes (after 1 year), personnel files (after 7 years), benefit docs, I-9 forms, performance reviews Customer: Records with PII, credit applications, expired contracts, account information Legal: Expired contracts, confidential correspondence, legal files (check retention)
Healthcare: Patient medical records (7-10 years), diagnostic reports, lab results, insurance claims, billing statements, HIPAA forms
Keep Permanently: Birth/death certificates, marriage licenses, Social Security cards (current), property deeds, vehicle titles, stock certificates, wills, military records, diplomas
When to Shred: End of retention period, no longer needed for business, after audit/legal hold, when moving/closing, annually during clean-out, when digitizing (after backup verified)
Recycle Instead: Newspapers, magazines, junk mail without personal info, general office paper, cardboards, catalogs - save money by recycling non-sensitive paper.
Choosing Mobile vs Off-Site Shredding
Understanding differences helps you choose the most appropriate method for your needs.
Mobile On-Site: How: Truck comes to you, shredded immediately while watching, camera shows shredding Advantages: Most secure (never leaves sight), witness destruction, same-day completion, great for high-security Best for: Healthcare PHI, financial institutions, legal offices, one-time purges, high-security needs Cost: Higher ($0.20-$0.40/lb) but worth it for security
Off-Site: How: Locked bin on-site, regular pickup, transported to facility, shredded at plant Advantages: Lower cost (30-40% less), larger volumes, industrial speed, convenient scheduled service Best for: Ongoing programs, large volumes, cost-conscious, moderate security Cost: $25-$75/month for console service
Hybrid Approach: Many use both: Mobile for highly sensitive (medical, financial, legal), off-site for general business records, balances security and cost
Security Comparison: Mobile: Never leaves sight, destroyed immediately, no transport risk Off-site: Locked bins, background-checked drivers, GPS tracking, secure facility, NAID certified - still very secure
Chain of Custody: Both maintain documentation: Who handled, when picked up, weight, destruction date/location, certificate provided
Making Decision: Choose mobile if: High-security docs, need to witness, compliance requires, one-time purge, small volumes Choose off-site if: Ongoing program, cost priority, larger volumes, regular generation, space for bins
Questions for Providers: NAID AAA Certified? Background checks? Insurance coverage? Tour facility? Particle size? Chain of custody tracking? BAA for HIPAA? Certificate included? Paper recycled?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does document shredding cost?
Residential one-time: $100-$200 for 5-10 boxes. Small business: $150-$400. Scheduled service: $50-$150/month. Off-site is 30-40% cheaper than mobile. Hard drives: $5-$15 each. Volume and frequency affect pricing significantly.
What size should documents be shredded to?
Cross-cut (4x50mm) meets most compliance including HIPAA and FACTA. Micro-cut (2x15mm) provides maximum security for highly sensitive documents and meets DOD standards. Strip-cut is NOT secure. All certified shredders use cross-cut or micro-cut.
Do I need to remove staples and paper clips?
No! Professional equipment handles staples, paper clips, binder clips, and folders. Don't waste time removing them. Industrial shredders are designed to process these items without issue.
Is shredding required by law?
Yes for certain industries. HIPAA requires healthcare to shred PHI. FACTA requires businesses to shred consumer credit info. GLBA requires financial institutions to shred customer data. State privacy laws increasingly require secure disposal. Even if not required, shredding protects against liability.
What happens to paper after shredding?
Shredded paper is recycled into new products - tissue, paper towels, cardboard, office paper. It's baled and sent to paper mills. Shredding keeps documents out of landfills while protecting information. Certificates often include recycling confirmation.
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