Can You Put Shredded Paper In Recycling?
After shredding your confidential documents, you may empty them into your general recycling bin, knowing that you are doing your bit towards being a more sustainable and environmentally friendly business. Soon, those strips of paper will be turned to pulp and find a new life as fresh paper.
Or will they? The startling fact is that most general recycling centres are ill-equipped to process shredded paper, and some even refuse to accept it. As a result, much of the shredded paper that is added to general recycling streams will end up as landfill.
Why General Recyclers Don’t Like Shredded Paper
During the recycling process, large screens are used to sort waste into different categories. However, smaller particles such as shredded paper can fall through these screens along with other particles that are deemed too small to recycle. This rejected waste is then sent to landfill.
Another problem is that these small, lightweight particles can find their way into the mechanisms of recycling machinery, causing jams that lead to stoppages and damaged parts. For this reason, many recycling centres will either turn away shredded paper or send it directly to a landfill site.
Those centres that do accept shredded paper will generally only do so if it has been separately bagged and can be picked off the processing conveyor belts.
How To Recycle Shredded Paper
The only way you can be 100% sure that your confidential documents, once securely shredded, are converted into recycled paper is to use a specialist recycling service. Avena is not a general recycling service but is structured to receive and process specific types of recyclable waste, including paper.
By combining GDPR-compliant, industrial-scale shredding with efficient paper recycling, Avena eliminates two problems in one for its clients: how to securely dispose of confidential documents, and how to do so in a sustainable manner.
The entire destruction and recycling process is designed to be energy- and cost-efficient. Confidential waste is stored in secure consoles on your premises until collected by Avena and taken directly to its shredding facility. Here, it is cross-shredded into small particles that prevent any possible reconstruction of documents and then compressed into large bales that are sent to UK paper mills for reprocessing into paper products. As this paper waste is completely segregated from the start, there is no chance of it leaving the recycling stream or being contaminated, so the recovery rate for paper fibres is close to 100%.
By partnering with Avena, you can rest assured that your confidential documents will be securely destroyed, and you will be contributing to a greener environment.
Secure Paper Shredding Services for Businesses
Whether you are looking for a paper shredding service for your business or a residential shredding service, Avena offers a wide range of document shredding services tailored to your needs. Our services cover everything from financial document disposal to confidential waste disposal, offering peace of mind for businesses and individuals alike.
With onsite shredding options available, you can witness the shredding process firsthand and ensure that sensitive documents are securely destroyed at your location. For companies that require large-scale document destruction or bulk paper shredding, Avena offers commercial shredding services and secure document disposal at affordable rates.
How To Make Avena Your Trusted Paper Recycling Partner
We have simplified the process to make it easy for you to switch to using Avena for secure and sustainable document destruction and recycling.
Depending on the scale and structure of your business and how frequently you require document disposal, we can tailor a service precisely to your needs. We can service your offices through a regular contract or ad hoc collections and offer document shredding either on your premises or at our secure processing facility. We also issue a certificate of destruction for every consignment of waste we collect, so you can keep accurate records to support your GDPR and environmental auditing requirements.
Interesting in learning more about our services? Speak to one of our experts today.
Looking for a quick quote for secure destruction & recycling? Get a quote today.
FAQs About Paper Shredding and Confidential Waste Disposal
Q1: Where can I shred confidential documents near me?
You can find paper shredding services near me by searching online or contacting local shredding companies. Many companies, including Avena, offer both onsite shredding and off-site shredding options to suit your needs. Whether you need residential shredding services or commercial paper shredding, there’s a solution available.
Q2: How can I dispose of confidential documents securely?
To dispose of confidential documents, use a secure shredding service like Avena’s GDPR-compliant shredding services. Avena ensures that all documents are securely destroyed and recycled, preventing any risk of sensitive information being compromised.
Q3: Can I use a paper shredder near me for shredding documents at home?
Yes, if you’re looking for a home shredding service, you can rent a paper shredder or hire a mobile paper shredding service to come to your home. However, for large quantities of sensitive documents, a professional document shredder service may be more efficient.
Q4: What is paper shredding for businesses?
For businesses, paper shredding services include secure destruction of sensitive documents like financial records and employee information. You can choose between on-site shredding and off-site shredding services depending on your business needs. Paper shredding companies offer flexible schedules for regular or one-time services.
Q5: How do shredding companies ensure compliance with GDPR?
Shredding companies like Avena provide GDPR-compliant paper shredding services, meaning that all documents are destroyed securely and in line with the data protection laws. They issue a certificate of destruction for every collection, providing proof of compliance.
Q6: What are the benefits of secure document disposal?
By using a trusted secure paper shredding service, businesses can mitigate risks associated with data breaches. Document shredding services not only protect sensitive information but also help businesses maintain compliance with data protection laws, such as GDPR.
Q7: Can I get a paper shredder for my home?
Yes, if you’re looking for home shredding solutions, many companies offer personal shredding services or allow you to rent a paper shredder for personal use. This is ideal for households that need to regularly destroy confidential paperwork.