When the time comes to get rid of old CDs and DVDs, you want to make sure that you do so in a way that's safe and secure. The best way to do this is to use a shredder. Shredders for CDs/DVDs are specifically designed to destroy these optical media, along with clips, staples, paper, and even payment cards.
Not only is shredding CDs a good choice for those looking to destroy confidential or sensitive data, but it is also an environmentally friendly option. Metal shreddings can be easily recycled, which makes CD shredders good for companies and organizations that have green-focussed corporate goals, as well as individuals who simply want to live more sustainably.
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a CD or disc shredder. First, you need to decide on the size of the shredder. There are compact shredders that are perfect for home use, as well as larger shredders that are better suited for businesses. Ultimately, the size of your shredder depends on the quantity and type of materials you need to shred on a daily basis.
Second, you need to decide on the type of cutting blades. There are two main types of blades: cross-cut and straight-cut. Cross-cut blades are more effective at destroying CDs and DVDs, but they also generate more dust.
Finally, you need to decide on the security level. Security levels range from P-1 to P-7, with P-7 being the highest level. The security level you need will depend on the sensitivity of the information you're trying to destroy. For instance, P-6/7 would be necessary for governmental, highly classified, and confidential information, while P-1/2 would be for everyday documents that do not include confidential or external client information.
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CD Shredders: Size Breakdown
Shredder size can mean a few different things. The first being the size of the shredder itself. The size of your disc shredder - or rather the size of its bin - determines how much you can shred in it before it needs to be emptied.
Some multimedia shredders, like the Formax FD 8704CC Multimedia Shredder Level 3/P-4 has a max capacity of 40-45 sheets, and features a large, easy-to-use emptying bin. This is ideal for larger offices where lots of media will need to be shredded every day.
If you’re looking for a more compact CD and DVD shredder, there are lots of options available. For example, the Datastroyer DCS 36/6 High Security COMBO Paper & Optical Media Shredder Level 6/P-7 is a high-security, small shredder which is great for personal offices, or those who have less space. This has a throat width that allows for 5’’ of discs, so you can shred more than one at once.
Our collection also features even more compact options, for those with very limited space. For instance, the Datastroyer 303-DVD is small enough to sit underneath or on top of a desk. Even though the shredder is small, it is powerful enough to turn CDs/DVDs, credit cards, and SIM cards (to name just a few) into dust. The shredder takes only 3 seconds to completely destroy a disc. What’s more, our bundle option comes complete with vacuum bags!
Combo Multimedia Shredders
Searching for a shredder that can destroy paper, cards, staples, and discs, all in one place? Whitaker Brothers’ has a variety of paper and CD/DVD combination shredders, designed to shred different materials all at once. These are ideal for shared spaces and offices where you will need to destroy lots of different data formats easily in the same place.
Our Formax FD 8732 High Security Combo Paper / CD & DVD Shredder Level 6/P-7 is highly rated, and features two individual slots and bins for paper and discs, making it ideal for quick and easy waste disposal.
There are various types of CDs and paper shredders that can allow you to put paper, cardboard, staples, clips, discs and memory sticks/SSD cards straight into the same slot, allowing for effortless and highly-secure shredding. Our Fellowes MicroShred 225Mi Micro-Cut Shredder is a great, budget-friendly option that shreds paper, staples, paper clips, credit cards, and discs at the same time, with a continuous running system.
Benefits of Shredding Multimedia
The process of shredding data has many benefits, and can help organizations protect their information. Shredding data can help prevent sensitive information from being stolen or leaked, and it can also help organizations comply with data privacy laws and regulations. Additionally, shredding data can help reduce the risk of data breaches, and minimize the impact of data loss.
As a business owner, shredding external and internal data protects your business from fraud, identity fraud, and malicious activity. Also, using shredding as an internal process and policy minimizes the risk of staff GDPR breaches.
Another important benefit of shredding media is that it helps to save storage space - which can be very important in offices and businesses that store a large amount of physical information.
Finally, shredding paper and metal is more environmentally friendly. Waste can easily be separated and disposed of properly, meaning your company or organization can stay inline with green corporate regulations, laws, and goals. Ultimately, it is far more sustainable, and can help reduce the carbon footprint of your organization.
What are the Best Shredders for Discs?
If you need to destroy CDs or DVDs that contain sensitive information, it is important to use a shredder that is specifically designed for this purpose. There are two main types of shredders that are best suited for shredding CDs:
Cross-cut shredders: These shredders use two sets of blades that cut the CD into small pieces in a crosshatch pattern. This type of shredder is the most common, and can also be used to shred paper documents.
Particle-cut shredders: Also known as micro-cut shredders, these shredders use tiny blades to shred the CD into very small particles. This type of high security shredder is more secure than a cross-cut shredder, as it produces smaller pieces that are more difficult to reassemble.
When choosing a shredder for CDs, make sure to look for one that is specifically designed to handle CDs and DVDs. Regular paper shredders may not be able to handle the thicker plastic and metal layers found in CDs, and may become damaged or jammed as a result.
Additionally, consider the size and capacity of the shredder. If you have a large number of CDs to shred, you may need a larger shredder with a higher capacity. Finally, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use and maintenance of your shredder to make sure it lasts as long as possible.
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