As business owners, you have a lot to deal with on a daily basis. With so much going on, documentation disposal can sometimes fall down the list of priorities. However, it’s an important aspect of a business and should be treated with the utmost respect.
Paper shredding services are becoming more popular within the personal and commercial industry, but why? Here, we look at five ways that businesses can benefit from paper shredding services.
1. Preventing Data Breaches
By implementing a robust paper shredding policy, you can effectively prevent data breaches. Shredding sensitive documents ensures that any information contained within them cannot be accessed by unauthorised individuals, thereby reducing the risk of data leaks and breaches.
With a strict paper shredding policy, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from data breaches. Shredding sensitive documentation ensures all personal and business information can no longer be accessed by unsavoury characters, therefore reducing the risk of data leaks and breaches.
The shredding of documentation doesn’t only protect a business’s information from data breaches, but also government regulations…
2. Complying with Legal Obligations
In the UK, there are many laws and regulations regarding the storage and disposal of business documents. After some time, organisations have to dispose of their confidential data – paper shredding is by far the safest and most effective way to do this.
An example of a business failing to comply with these regulations is the Scottish Border Council, who were handed a £250,000 penalty for simply discarding their employee’s pension records in public recycling bins, found at the local supermarket.
By opting for a professional shredding service, you can rest assured that your sensitive documents will be destroyed and disposed of in a regulated manner, with a destruction certificate being provided to you as proof.
3. Improved Office Efficiency
Regular and consistent document shredding is a fantastic way to free up valuable storage space in an office, which is often limited at the best of times!
The old saying goes ‘cluttered desk, cluttered mind’ which is backed by scientific studies that show a messy and unorganised working environment can affect a worker’s cognition, emotions, behaviour, and decision-making abilities.
By establishing clear guidelines for what should and should not be shredded, you can reduce confusion and ensure that all employees are on the same page. This can help to minimise errors and improve overall efficiency.
4. Time & Money Saving
If you’re a small to medium business choosing to utilise paper shredding, opting for a professional shredding service can be a great way to save money with the initial investment on an expensive shredder, and unexpected repair costs along the way.
Also, if you’ve ever had to shred a few dozen sacks of documentation, you understand just how long it can take to get through, and that’s if everything goes smoothly!
Professional shredding services can help save you time and money, with shredding costing as little as £15-25 per sack in the UK. Revenue can be saved on the purchase of equipment and ongoing repair costs, and employees can spend their time working on more meaningful tasks.
5. Reducing Environmental Impact Through Recycling
The final reason that businesses can benefit from shredding their paper is reducing their overall environmental impact. By shredding documents and recycling the shredded paper, you can reduce the amount of waste that your business generates, contribute to the reduction of landfill dumping, and reduce your business’s carbon footprint.
Today’s average consumer is more environmentally conscious and often chooses businesses that align with their values. Forbes reported that 87% of consumers have a more positive association with a business if they support social or environmental issues, so putting systems in place to reduce your businesses’ overall environment impact can be financially beneficial.
