The Top 10 Reasons to Own a Paper Shredder
September 23, 2022The easiest, safest and most cost-effective way to securely dispose of sensitive documents, credit cards and other important items is by using a paper shredder. They’re simple to use, extremely effective and get the job done with minimum hassle. A personal, office shredder or high security shredder can take the risk of identity theft, a compromised credit card, or stolen company or client information out of haphazardly throwing away bank statements, paid bills and other confidential or private information.
While there are many dozens of reasons to own a paper shredder, here’s a look at the top 10 reasons why you should own a paper shredder in your home or office.
1. Organization
Nobody likes a cluttered office, and paper shredders are great tools for minimizing clutter and maximizing organization by discarding old or unwanted documents. Paper shredders can fit into confined spaces, whether it be next to or under your desk, or elsewhere in your office. They tend to take up minimal space, which helps with an organized office.
2. More than paper
Although they’re called paper shredders, many paper shredders can also destroy credit cards, CDs and DVDs. You don’t even need to invest in the best shredder on the market to ensure the successful disposal of your documents - the vast majority of paper shredders can handle the job.
3. Eco-friendly
Most paper shredders are made with the environment in mind. The waste that’s made from a paper shredder can often be recycled into things like mulch, cat litter and packaging for anything fragile that you may be planning to mail/ship.
4. Law
Both HIPPA and FACTA states that certain paperwork must be shredded to protect patient privacy. Owning a paper shredder has a lawful purpose.
5. Protection
Paper shredders help protect yourself, your business, your customers and your employees from identity theft by properly destroying confidential documents that someone could use against you. Identity theft is rampant in this day and age, so you certainly should be taking all the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
6. More Protection
To piggyback off of the previous point, in most U.S. states, while trespassing and stealing is unlawful, the act of “dumpster diving” is completely lawful.
7. Potential money savers
Properly discarding your documents can save you big bucks down the road if someone were to swipe your information and use it unlawfully.
8. They're budget friendly
You can buy a quality paper shredder for under $100. The best paper shredders will cost more, but consumers on a budget can pick one up at a minimal cost.
9. They're not as noisy as you might think
It’s often perceived that paper shredders are noisy and obnoxious. While this may have been true of many early models, technological advancements have given way to shredders that are significantly less noisy and thereby less distracting.
10. They're fun
Let’s face it - shredding is fun! There’s always something a little liberating and very satisfying about feeding sheets of paper through a shredder to ensure your information is protected!
Do you need a paper shredder?
If you don’t already have a paper shredder, or if you’re ready for a replacement, now’s the perfect time to buy. Check out our collection of personal shredders, office shredders and high security shredders to get started.
See Also:
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)
- FTC Guide on Shredding
- FTC Infographic on What to Shred
- FTC’s Website on Identity Theft