(Notice! Abacus do not currentley do document shredding)

Benefits of Secure Paper Document Shredding

Document shredding is not a requirement under either The Health & Safety Executive of The Environmental Agency. However it is recognized as good business practice to ensure that all waste paper is collected in paper only Bins or Skips, for appropriate recycling.

In order to maximize paper recycling, cardboard and/or plastics should be segregated and stored separately for separate collection and separate subsequent recycling.

Document shredding is recommended when paper being committed to waste disposal may be of a sensitive nature, or where it may contain confidential information.
However, it should also be recognized that under the 1998 Data Protection Act, the confidential and secure destruction of any data, which could identify a living individual, is a legal requirement and that failure to comply with this initiative is a criminal offence.

Many companies that specialize in the secure shredding of confidential/sensitive document have now been set up across the UK and Scotland.

It is recommended that only companies who offer professional confidential paper shredding services in accordance with Ministry of Defence (MOD) approved standards, are selected. Such companies require that any of their staff who come into contact with the materials prior to shredding, are all properly security screened. Companies who comply with MOD approved standards will be able to supply audit trails and certified documentation of destruction.

Shredding and destruction sites should allow clients to witness the actual destruction (Shredding process) if requested.

Once the paper has been shredded it is then baled and sent to the paper mills for recycling. Secure transports should be monitored and any driver’s employed must be security cleared.