Are All Shredding Services Alike?

Are All Shredding Services Alike?

Shredding might seem like a simple concept, so what differentiates one shredding service from another? A lot, actually. Here are the things to look for when you’re choosing a shredding company.

Shredding Methods

There’s more than one way to shred a document. Some shredded documents can be reconstructed, but the smaller the pieces, the more difficult it is. The long strips you’ll get from a consumer strip-cut shredder are the easiest to reconstruct. Cross-cut shredders cut papers in two different directions to reduce documents to very small rectangular pieces. PROSHRED Connecticut uses the more secure piece and tear method of shredding, which uses multiple blades to both punch holes in paper and tear it into small, uneven pieces.

On-Site vs. Off-Site

Document destruction companies either shred documents on location or haul intact documents away to be shredded at their own facilities. If you are concerned about documents leaving your possession before they are destroyed, look for a company that does its shredding on site. PROSHRED Connecticut destroys all materials on the premises, and allows you to watch the process via closed circuit monitor so you can be sure your documents are completely destroyed.

Contracts

Some shredding companies require that you lock into a contract for ongoing service. PROSHRED Connecticut offers contracts but does not require them.

Recycling and Environmental Efforts

PROSHRED Connecticut recycles all the shredded paper we destroy. After shredding, we transport your destroyed documents to a certified recycling facility to be pulped. To document our customers’ contribution to the environment, PROSHRED Connecticut provides each customer with a Tree Saver Environment Certificate every year, which indicates how many trees your business has saved by shredding with PROSHRED Connecticut.

NAID Certification

To be sure that you’re using a reputable shredding service, ask if it is AAA Certified with the National Association of Information Destruction (NAID), the international trade association for companies providing information destruction services. PROSHRED Connecticut has been AAA Certified for eight years. Data destruction companies with this certification are monitored by NAID—with scheduled on-site visits as well as random, unannounced audits—for procedures, equipment, security and employee drug and background checks. Check if your shredding company is certified with NAID (not just a member), by checking the NAID directory.

ISO Certification

PROSHRED Connecticut is the only ISO 9001 certified secure on-site shredding company system in America. Our frontline operations and procedures are continually audited by both ISO 9001 and the corporate franchisor. The independent ISO third-party audit ensures that we live up to our claims and commitments.

Experience and Reputation

To avoid fly-by-night operators, look for a company with many years of experience in the document destruction industry. PROSHRED has been in business since 1986, and has an excellent reputation. In 2015, Fits Small Business named PROSHRED the best on-site shredding service based on price and customer satisfaction. PROSHRED Connecticut was named 2015 Midstate Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year.

Document Handling

Some shredding companies have their employees hand-sort papers or hand-feed documents into shredders, which means they can see your documents. PROSHRED Connecticut’s system ensures that our staff members never see or touch your documents. A cart containing your documents is securely fastened to the chute of the shredding truck and automatically lifted inside the truck to shred your materials.

Extra Fees

Shredding companies often charge extra fees including management fees, trip fees or fuel surcharges. Often you won’t even know about these charges until after you have signed up for the service. PROSHRED Connecticut never charges any type of management, trip, fuel or schedule change fee. The price we quote you is the price you’ll pay—with us you’ll get honesty, consistency and no unpleasant surprises.

Employee Security

Because they will be in charge of disposing of your sensitive documents, shredding company employees need to be rigorously screened and trained. All of PROSHRED Connecticut’s customer service professionals undergo a criminal background check, drug testing and a rigorous annual training program, and sign a confidentiality agreement pledging to protect each customer’s sensitive material and maintain total confidentiality.

Local Ownership

Several shredding companies are national, and have no specialized understanding of the communities they serve and no flexibility in the services they provide. At PROSHRED Connecticut, we have local owners and operators that understand the local market dynamic and provide a more personal approach, while supporting the local economy.