1. What type of material do you shred?

We can shred just about anything, but we mostly shred paper. And instead of using conventional strip-cut shredders, we use crosscut shredding technology that reduces the paper to fine, confetti-like pieces. Based on your needs, we have different sizes, ranging from one and a half inches by five eighths of an inch to one inch by three eighths of an inch. And our smallest size is half an inch by one eighth of an inch! There's no way the paper we shred can ever be reconstructed again.

Our unique shredders also have the technology and power to break down other materials like fabric, plastic, electronics and metals. Yup, that means CDs, hard drives, videotapes, DVDs and even casino chips.

For a list of non-paper items that we can shred, go to our Home Page, and scroll to the bottom. In the 'Why Shred' column on the left, click on 'More than Paper', which is under 'What to Shred'. If you have any questions about materials you would like to shred, click on the "Contact Us" link on our website; it's at the top right hand side of the home page. Then, complete the form and we'll get in touch with you within one business day!

2. What is confidential information

One way to determine what is confidential in your company is to consider what might happen if the information ever got into a competitor's hands.

Some examples of confidential information can include:

3. How is the stored material kept safe before it is shredded?

Your employees put the documents that they want shredded into Shred-it's locked consoles.  A beveled slot and internal security plate ensure that your documents can't be removed once they have been inserted. 

We will help you decide how many consoles are needed and place them in convenient locations throughout your office.  Inside the consoles are specially designed bags which hold all of the documents that you want destroyed until our next service visit.
 

4. Do I need to sort the paper?

Not at all.  And we don't sort it either.  All you need to do is put the documents into the locked consoles we provide and that's it.  You don't have to worry about removing anything else not paper clips, staples or binder clips.  Our shredders can handle that.
 

5. Is the shredding process secure?

Our shredding process is extremely secure.  The most secure method is done on site at your location in a secure, caged area on our Shred-it truck.  After the Customer Service Representative has retrieved the bags of paper documents from the locked consoles, the contents of each bag are placed directly into the shredder.  And that's a process you're welcome to watch.  There is no transfer of material before the shredding process.
 

6. How often does Shred-it come to shred?

As often as you need us. We schedule your service visits based on the amount of sensitive materials your business produces and needs shredded.  A Shred-it Sales Representative will work out the frequency of service with you ahead of time.  You may need shredding once a week or maybe once a month.  And if your service needs change, we can easily modify your schedule.  It's as simple as that.
 

7. What happens if our console is full before the regularly scheduled service time?

If your console fills up too fast just give us a quick call.  We’ll be happy to schedule an extra pick-up. If it starts to happen a lot we can provide you with additional consoles or increase the frequency of your service.
 

8. When do I receive my invoice?

The invoice is presented to you immediately after each shred.

9. What size jobs does Shred-it accept?

Shred-it accepts all jobs, large or small. Our customers range from small offices to major organizations.  Depending on your needs, many of our locations also offer drop-off services, so you can bring a small quantity of documents that you need destroyed to our branch for shredding. 

To find out if a branch near you offers this service, find your nearest Shred-it location.
 

10. What if I only need Shred-it's service one time or for annual clean-ups?

Annual cleanups are not a problem at all. Shred-it is happy to meet your needs… whether it's daily scheduled service or a one-time shred. 

11. How often do your employees undergo training?

Our employees receive a great deal of training, and it's on-going to keep everyone up to date on everything related to information security.  Hands-on training is provided in both an office setting and in the field... and that means you get the best possible secure service.
 

12. Do you shred residential or home office documents?

Sure, the ideal solution for you depends on the amount of material that you need shredded.  Many of our branches offer drop-off services and we also provide Community Shred-it Events, where one of our trucks part at a central location and shred personal documents for people in the community - free of charge or for a minimal donation.

To find out if there is a branch near you offering drop-off service or a Community Shred-it Event, find a Shred-it location near you.

13. Why does shred size matter?

Shred size is a matter of security and the smaller paper is shredded and the rougher the edges, the better. Shred-it uses cross-cut shredders that completely destroy paper. We provide three shred sizes to choose from in select markets. Security Level One - Standard, creates shredded paper that is five eighths inch by one and a half inches. Our Security Level Two - Fine, creates pieces that are three eighths inch by one inch. Lastly, our Security Level Three - Micro Fine, shreds paper to one eighth inch by half an inch in size. For all sizes, our equipment tears the edges of the shredded paper. After we've shredded paper, all the confetti-like pieces are mixed in with other shredded paper from earlier jobs in the day. This adds another level of security.

14. What console should I pick?

We provide different shapes and sizes of consoles depending on your security needs, expected volume and office design. We’d be happy to help you decide. All our consoles are made of recycled materials and hold more paper products than most other consoles in the industry. Our consoles are not on wheels and once we’ve placed them in your workspace, they’re stationary. The consoles are always locked and each one has a security slot which means paper and other materials can’t be retrieved once they’ve been put inside. The consoles are neutral colours so they blend in with standard office décor. Custom finishes are available including cherry, mahogany and light oak. One of our most popular sizes holds 45 gallons of paper and comes with a top or front loading security slot. There’s a mini console as well, which is designed to fit under a work station or in other tight spots. It’s a front load console and holds 36.01 gallons of paper.

15. What happens if our console is full before the regularly scheduled service time?

If your console fills up too fast just give us a quick call. We'll be happy to schedule an extra pick up. If it starts to happen a lot we can either provide more consoles or increase the frequency of your service.