When you start a business, there are many details to keep track of. One area that may not seem like it requires much attention is document destruction. However, failing to take proper measures can have serious consequences for your company in the long term. In this blog post, we will address what document destruction is and why it’s important for your company. We will also give some examples of documents that need to be destroyed rather than recycled and explain the different options you have to ensure your business stays compliant with regulations regarding document destruction.
What is document destruction?
Document destruction, or ‘paper shredding’, is the process of destroying paper documents so they can’t be read or used against you. In the context of business, paper documents can include invoices, receipts, purchase orders, contracts, and HR documents, among others. A great deal of personal information can be found on paper documents, so businesses need to be careful about how they dispose of them. After document destruction, the paper is no longer legible and is often not recyclable. Most paper shredders will also provide a level of security, ensuring that even if someone can piece together the shredded paper, they won’t be able to read it.
Why is document destruction important?
There are several reasons why document destruction is important for any company. First and foremost, any business needs to protect its customers’ private information. If a company receives a paper document from a customer (e.g. a contract), that document will need to be destroyed as soon as it has been processed to protect the customer’s privacy. Paper documents are also a security risk. If left unsecured, they can easily fall into the wrong hands, which can have disastrous effects on your company. Aside from the privacy of your customers and employees, documents may also contain information that could put your company at risk. For example, a contract with a supplier may contain information about your company’s operations. If this document is left in an unsecured area, an employee who might not have the authority to view it could easily discover this information and use it against your company.
Examples of documents that need to be destroyed rather than recycled
Remember that not all paper documents are recyclable. Before you decide to dispose of any documents, you need to make sure that they won’t contain any sensitive information. Below, we will discuss a few documents that need to be destroyed rather than recycled. Contracts – Some contracts contain extremely sensitive information, such as your company’s financial projections. This information needs to be destroyed immediately and cannot be recycled. Customer information – Customer information, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers, needs to be destroyed as soon as a sale is complete. HR documents – HR documents such as employment contracts, id cards, and payslips can contain personal information. This information needs to be destroyed as soon as it’s no longer needed.
DestroyR, your secure shredding service provider
Now that you know why document destruction is important and what documents need to be destroyed rather than recycled, we can discuss what secure shredding is. Secure shredding is the process of using a specially designed machine that will destroy the paper, making it unreadable. Secure shredders are designed to withstand heavy usage, making them an excellent option for businesses that need to shred a large volume of paper on a regular basis. With a secure shredding service, you can be sure that your documents are being destroyed properly.
DestroyR are certified to shred
When you choose a secure shredding company, you want to make sure they have the experience and certification necessary to handle your documents properly. A good shredding company will have staff trained in shredding techniques and will use shredders designed for heavy use. Make sure your secure shredding company is accredited by the International Standards Organisation and is NAID AAA Certified. This ensures that your documents are being shredded properly and your business is complying with regulations regarding document destruction. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that your secure shredding company will send someone to your facility to shred paper documents. This will allow you to keep your documents secure at all times and ensure that they are shredded properly. DestroyR Secure Shredding is ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001 and NAID AAA Certified. Call our team now on 1300 378 769.
Conclusion
Document destruction is a necessary part of running a business, but it can be confusing to keep track of all the different requirements. There are a few documents that need to be destroyed rather than recycled, such as contracts, customer information, and HR documents. When you choose the right document destruction service, you can be sure your documents are being disposed of properly. Speak with one of our friendly customer service representatives now by calling 1300 378 769 to see how DestroyR Secure Shredding can help you today.