What Are the Different Ways of Document Destruction?

Which is the most secure method for document destruction? First, consider cross-cut shredding, composting, burning, and pulping. Then, we’ll discuss common techniques and alternatives. Once you’ve decided, find a professional shredding service in your area.

Cross-cut shredding

In situations when shredding speed is critical, a strip cutter is preferable. Because shredding papers into strips is more manageable, a strip cutter produces shreds of paper faster than a cross shredder. Confetti shredders shred paper in various directions, which slows the operation down. A cross-cut shredder is more effective than a strip-cut one, and the fragments of paper it produces are virtually impossible to reconstruct. Most professional information destruction companies use a cross-cut shredder, but some third-party experts may prefer a different shredder style, such as a Shred-it shredder. Both types of shredders produce fragments of paper that are not entirely even, and the shredded paper is compressed under tremendous pressure into solid bales.

Confetti-cut shredders are cross-cut shredders that create a straight horizontal cut across the shredded strips, resulting in smaller strips that resemble confetti in size and form.

Different government agencies that destroy sensitive documents in Boston have other guidelines for how small particles should be in cross-cut shredders. For example, the DIN guideline labels the maximum shred size for secure destruction. When acquiring equipment to shred protected documents, government agencies utilize several parameters to assess whether the shred size satisfies their desired degree of security. These rules are frequently based on DIN (Deutsche Industrial Norm). The guideline specifies the maximum shred size for various levels of secure destruction of all types of data resources.

Composting

One alternative to traditional shredding is to compost the paper. Composting is when the unwanted paper is mixed into a pile and allowed to break down. It is a time-consuming and insecure method of document destruction but protects confidential information from identity thieves.

There are several benefits of composting. It is environmentally friendly and produces a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Businesses that produce food can compost their organic waste easily. It also helps the environment by preventing waste from entering landfills. This green alternative to traditional shredding helps to reduce landfill space and conserve natural resources. It can be a good option for businesses. Considering the environmental benefits, composting has become a popular alternative to traditional shredding considering the environmental benefits.

Burning

If you’re burning paper for document destruction, there are several tips to keep in mind. First, only burn plain paper, not glossy plastic-coated documents. Maintain a safe distance from the flames. Finally, keep small children and animals away from the fire. Always start by burning the largest, driest papers, then add the smallest ones.

Secondly, when you are burning documents, keep an eye out for any fragments that may still be visible in the ashes. Even small bits of information could be valuable to others. So, before burning, cover them with scrap paper to avoid confusing those trying to read the sensitive information. Also, inspect the ashes for any unburned paper. If there is any, it will appear as a white sheen. You will need to burn the paper more thoroughly if you spot this.

Pulping

A standard method for destroying paper documents is pulping. In pulping, records are submerged in a mixture of water and bleach, which breaks down the paper fibers and destroys the ink colorants. Once the process is completed, the pulped material is blended with the rest and dried for further disposal. Although pulping can effectively destroy paper documents, it requires a large trash bin to store the destroyed documents safely.

There are several ways to destroy paper, and not all of them are effective. A formal policy will help you create a standardized procedure for offering files to destruction vendors, documenting the process, and ensuring that all files are destroyed securely. This will reduce the costs of paper shredding, but it will also increase your protection and reduce your legal responsibilities. Although paper shredding may seem like a simple way to destroy documents, it is not reliable or secure to protect your sensitive information.

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