On-Site vs. Off-Site Document Shredding Services
Deciding on where and who you want to shred your private papers comes down to a comfort level and trust. Here are some options for you to consider.
On-site Document Shredding
This process occurs when the document destruction company sends a truck to your location to shred your documents.
How Does it Work?
When the shredding truck arrives at your location, your documents are placed into a bin which is a large container on wheels with a security top. The bin should be locked at all times after your documents have been placed in one. Then the bin will be moved to the shredding truck waiting outside. The bin is then lifted into the truck by a hydraulic system and the bin is then emptied into the shredder and your documents are destroyed. Make sure the shredding service you choose has a truck that is equipped with a camera system that allows you to see your documents being shredded if you choose. Your documents should be completely destroyed before the truck pulls away.
Off-site Document Shredding
Sometimes referred to as plant-based shredding, the shredding firm sends a box truck to your location where documents are collected and shred at a secure facility.
How Does it Work?
Similar to on-site shredding, your documents are placed into a bin; again it should be locked, and the bin is then placed onto the truck where it is loaded. What’s different is that your documents will not be shredded until they return back to the shred facility where they have a stationary shredder. Some clients are not comfortable with off-site because the documents leave your location while still in-tact. On the other hand, some businesses prefer to use off-site shredding because they can’t tie up there loading dock with a mobile shredding truck.
Here are some critical questions to ask the offsite shredding company:
- Are there locks on all doors of the truck and do they remain locked when you have bins with documents in them?
- How are the bins secured in the back of the truck so they don’t move or tip over?
- If you leave the truck to pick up other documents, how are the documents already in the truck protected?
- Has one of your trucks ever been broken into?
- Are documents ever left on the trucks overnight?
- From the time my documents are picked up, when will they be shredded?
- Does your plant have a security system in place?
- Does your plant have a surveillance system and are my documents under constant video surveillance wherever they are in your facility?
- All of your employees should be background checked, drug tested and sign confidentiality agreements; do they?
Shredding at Retail Locations Such as Office Supply Stores of Mail & Shipping Stores.
You need to be very aware that these stores, do not provide services that are equivalent to professional shredding companies’ services. In most cases they don’t shred your documents there. You are dropping off your confidential papers and they are placed in a bin where they may stay for some time until another company comes to shred the documents or remove the bin to shred your papers elsewhere.
The reason some people choose this method for destroying their papers, is that it can be cost-effective for small amounts of documents. The cost is usually around $1.00 per pound. If you decide to use this option make sure they tell you who the shredding company is and whether or not they are AAA Certified by NAID.
Why Consider Partnering with Time Shred?
Hiring a NAID AAA Certified company like Time Shred Services, means they have all of the above and more. Remember that with off-site shredding, there can be more chances for a breach to take place so choosing the right company is critical. Make sure you understand the risks involved; at the end of the day however, it all comes down to your comfort level with the shredding company you have decided to hire.
Your private papers always need to be protected even when it’s time to dispose of them. We hope that we have helped you understand your options. We would be happy to assist you with the secure shredding of your documents. For more information please give us a call or visit our website, www.timeshred.com .