Shredders are very important within an office setting for several reasons: they provide data security and regulatory compliance, prevent fraud and identity theft, reduce the risk of lawsuits, maintain brand reputation, and also save space and promote efficiency.
Across the U.S.A., 98% of businesses utilize shredders to destroy confidential documents and safeguard sensitive information. But just like any hardworking machine, shredders require good care in order to function optimally.
Neglecting your shredder's maintenance can lead to frustrating jams, disorganization, and even pricey repairs. To avoid these headaches, it's essential to have the correct supplies on hand. In this blog post, we'll talk about the top 3 must-have shredder supplies to keep your shredder properly maintained and operating smoothly.
Why are Shredders so Important to Businesses
While shredders might not seem glamorous, they play a very significant role in keeping your office moving effortlessly. In fact, they can save you money in the long run. Here's how shredders contribute to a more efficient and cost-effective operation:
Document Management
Paperwork can quickly pile up, and can create physical and mental clutter. Shredding eliminates unnecessary documents, opens up valuable desk space, and helps employees focus on tasks that require their full attention.
The act of shredding often prompts a review of documents, and encourages a "shred or keep" mentality. This diminishes the need for excessive storage space, and simplifies document retrieval for your files.
Enhanced Security and Reduced Risk
Lost or stolen documents containing sensitive information like customer data or financial records can become a big problem. Shredding eliminates this risk, and protects your business from potential lawsuits or fines associated with data breaches.
Cost Savings Through Efficiency
Too much paperwork results in overflowing trash cans and increased waste disposal fees. Shredding minimizes paper waste, which lowers your business's costs for regular trash pickup.
As mentioned earlier, shredding eradicates the need for storing voluminous amounts of old documents. This can save money on renting, purchasing additional storage space, or filing cabinets.
Increased Recycling Opportunities
Shredded paper is a recyclable material. Recycling allows businesses to contribute to a more environmentally-friendly, waste management approach. In some cases, recycling shredded paper can generate revenue for your business.
Reduced Risk of Identity Theft
Shredding documents with personal details like social security numbers or credit card information prevents them from falling into the wrong hands. This protects your customers and employees from identity theft, which can be an expensive and damaging experience.
What are the Most Important Shredder Supplies?
We've established that shredders are crucial for a smooth-running and secure office. But just like any hardworking machine, shredders require regular maintenance to function flawlessly.
Neglecting your paper shredder's maintenance can lead to many problems such as jamming, and burning out.
The price of repairing a broken shredder can be substantial. In some cases, it might be more profitable to replace the entire shredder machine. Furthermore, a malfunctioning paper shredder can lead to security risks if documents aren't shredded appropriately.
To avoid these costly issues arising, there are some key supplies you need to keep your shredder adequately maintained.
Shredder Oil
Shredder oil is critical for making sure office shredders are sufficiently lubricated at all times. Shredder oil not only extends the life of your shredder, but it also keeps it working perfectly by removing buildup.
It can be useful for clearing thick paper jams and ensuring that the blades do not get worn down. Our specially-blended shredder oil is petroleum-based and formulated for use in business and commercial office paper shredders.
Shredder Bags
Next on our list of shredder essentials is maintaining a consistent emptying routine. Just like any trash can, shredders need to be emptied regularly to perform well.
A full shredder bin can lead to several problems such as reduced productivity and overheating. There is an increased risk of damaging the mechanics inside the shredder machine.
Having a see-through bag won't be good enough to protect the data of the documents, even after shredding. Our shredder bags are opaque, and do not allow people to see into the bags.
Stock Up On Shredder Bags Here
Burn Bags
For organizations handling highly sensitive information such as government institutions, shredding might not be enough. In these cases, consider incorporating burn bags as a solution for complete data destruction. While shredding significantly decreases the risk of data breaches, burn bags offer an extra layer of security for situations where absolute data elimination is paramount.
Burn bags are great for complete data destruction, and they allow businesses to dispose of shredded documents and leave no trace.
Shop High-Security Burn Bags Here
Maintenance Tips for Properly Maintaining Office Shredders
Below are some quick tips on properly maintaining your office shredder. For an in-depth guide on this, please feel free to visit our blog at the link below.
- Oil Regularly
- Empty Frequently
- Shred the Right Materials
- Feed Paper Gradually
- Clean Occasionally
- Invest in Opaque Shredder Bags
- Consider Burn Bags (For High-Risk Documents)
Read our Shredder Maintenance Tips to find out more.
