Three Key Facts About Paper:
Paper records pose a significant risk: Did you know that 1 in 5 data breaches involve paper records? It’s a startling statistic that highlights the importance of proper document disposal.- Trash isn’t private: In many states, trash is considered public property. Once your documents hit the bin, they’re fair game, making secure disposal crucial.
- Compliance is non-negotiable: Document destruction isn’t just a good practice; it’s a legal requirement for protecting sensitive information and complying with privacy laws.
Three Common Misconceptions About Paper Shredding:
- “We don’t have enough paper to warrant a shredding service.” You might think that a shredding company wouldn’t be interested in your business because you only discard a small amount of paper. However, reputable shredding services are designed to cater to businesses of all sizes.
- “Our paper use is inconsistent; it’s not worth setting up a shredding service.” Even if your paper usage fluctuates, professional shredding companies can provide to meet your needs.
- “We’ll just shred our own paper; it’s cheaper.” While DIY shredding might seem economical, the hidden costs in time, equipment maintenance, and security risks often outweigh the benefits.
Actor Emma Stone once said, “What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden, and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.” This sentiment rings true for your business as well. Your business is unique, and that’s what makes it exceptional. Yet, even in your uniqueness, there’s a common thread that ties all businesses together: the need to comply with privacy laws by securely destroying personally identifiable information.
Professional shredding companies understand the diverse needs of different businesses, which is why they offer both recurring and purge shredding services. Whether you’re a large corporation with a constant flow of documents or a smaller entity with sporadic disposal needs, there’s a shredding solution tailored for you. Let’s explore the differences between recurring and purge shredding to help you determine which one best fits your business.
A Detailed Comparison: Recurring vs. Purge Shredding
- Purpose
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- Recurring Shredding: This service is designed to maintain ongoing security and compliance by regularly shredding documents before they pile up. By preventing the accumulation of sensitive documents, recurring shredding reduces the risk of information leaks, theft, or loss.
- Purge Shredding: Purge shredding focuses on handling bulk document disposal during specific events, such as office cleanouts, relocations, or after a period of collecting documents. It’s perfect for situations where you need to clear out a large volume of documents all at once.
- Frequency
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- Recurring Shredding: This service operates on a regular schedule—whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly—based on your business’s specific needs. The consistent timing helps manage document destruction efficiently and ensures ongoing compliance.
- Purge Shredding: Purge shredding is conducted as needed, typically during major cleanouts, office moves, or after accumulating documents over time. It’s a flexible option that adapts to your schedule, making it ideal for occasional large-scale shredding requirements.
- Integration
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- Recurring Shredding: Recurring shredding seamlessly integrates into your daily office routines. With scheduled collection days, it becomes a natural part of your document processing system, allowing staff to manage disposal efficiently without disrupting operations.
- Purge Shredding: Since purge shredding is a one-time event, it requires more planning and preparation. It doesn’t become a part of the regular workflow but is a highly effective solution when you need to tackle large volumes of documents at once.
- Retention
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- Recurring Shredding: This service supports compliance with document retention policies by including regular disposal of outdated records. Regular shredding ensures that no documents linger past their retention period, helping to keep your records management in check.
- Purge Shredding: During a purge, you may discover documents that have outlived their retention periods. This can be a great opportunity to ensure compliance by disposing of these documents securely and efficiently.
- Cost
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- Recurring Shredding: Spreading the cost over time, recurring shredding can be more economical, especially when considering the predictable volume of work. It also mitigates the risk of data breaches by ensuring timely destruction of documents.
- Purge Shredding: Although the cost per event might be higher due to the volume of documents, purge shredding can be cost-effective for businesses with irregular document disposal needs. When you factor in the cost of owning, maintaining, and replacing shredding equipment, along with the time and labor required for DIY shredding, partnering with a professional shredding company offers significant long-term savings and peace of mind.
Richards & Richards offers both recurring and purge shredding services that are NAID AAA Certified, ensuring compliance with all state and federal privacy laws. Regardless of the frequency or volume of shredding you require, we provide a Certificate of Destruction after every job, giving you documented proof that your sensitive information has been securely destroyed.
If you’re ready to ensure the secure destruction of your documents, give us a call at 615-242-9600, or complete the form on this page. Let us help you protect your business and maintain compliance with our reliable shredding services.
