There are several types of document shredding services available, and choosing the right one for your needs can be confusing. Here we discuss the best service options depending on how much paper you have to shred.
Smaller Shredding Projects
A shredding project is deemed “small” when you have less than 100 pounds of paper to shred. Gather all of your paperwork together. If it fits in 3 standard file boxes or less, you have around 90 pounds of paper. These are your shredding service options:
Drop Off Shredding
Drop Off ShreddingThese services require you to load your paperwork into your car and drive them over to a drop-off location. Here you will pay on average (but this does vary quite a bit) $1 per pound to shred your files. Large-scale shredding services charge a flat fee of around $100 or more. So, if you have less than 100 pounds and are willing to drop off your paperwork yourself, this is your best option.
Ship ‘N’ Shred
If you have less than 100 pounds to shred but don’t want to drive to a drop-off location, Ship ‘N’ Shred makes things easy. Pack up 1-3 boxes of paperwork and for around $32 per box FedEx will stop by your location, pick up your boxes, and deliver them to a shredding plant for destruction.
Medium-Sized Shredding Projects
If you can gather all of your paperwork into 10 or fewer standard file boxes or 6 or fewer large black trash bags you have a medium-sized job. Here are your options:
Mobile Shredding
You can have a mobile shred truck with a built-in shredder visit your location and shred your files onsite. This type of service is popular because you can watch as the shredder destroys your files right in your parking lot. This type of service charges around $130-$175 for projects 1-10 boxes, and you can have a truck drop by for any amount of paperwork.
Offsite Shredding
For a slightly less expensive price, offsite shredding services are equally convenient and secure. A driver will come to you to pick up your documents. They will be loaded into a secure truck and driven to a secure shredding plant. There, a large industrial-strength shredder will shred them. This type of shredding service costs around $110-$130 for projects 1-10 boxes, however, don’t get to watch your files get destroyed. Offsite shredding is a great choice if you want to save some money.
Large-Scale Shredding Projects
If you have more than 300 pounds worth of documents to shred, you have a large-scale shredding project. If you have more than 10 standard boxes, you need a professional to help you shred. Your best option is:
Mobile Shredding
Mobile shredding can also handle any size project. You can watch as they destroy all of your documents right at your location. As mentioned before, mobile shredding charges around $130-$175 for projects 1-10 boxes, but the pricing will depend on the size of your project,
Offsite Shredding
The only efficient service option designed to handle more than 300 pounds of paper in one trip, offsite shredding services are perfect for larger shredding projects. A large truck can fit over 1,000 pounds of paper and safely transport it to an industrial shredding facility for you for around $110-$130 for project 1-10 boxes. Some companies will charge more for very large jobs. Therefore, it’s always smart to call in for a quote before scheduling a job.
Ongoing Shredding Projects
No matter how much you have to shred, if you regularly accumulate paperwork that needs shredding, setting up pre-scheduled shredding services is your best bet.
Find a provider near you and set up a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual shredding schedule. You can choose to have a mobile shred truck stop by. Or, have the shredder pick up your documents and shred them off-site at a secure facility.
Your shredding provider will give you locking bins free of charge to place around your office where you can gather paperwork until the next time your shredder is scheduled to visit. Setting up a schedule ensures that you stay on top of your shredding needs, and comply with all security laws. After setting up the schedule, you can check shredding off your to-do list.
Find a Local Shredding Provider to Help With Your Project
Shred Nations recognizes that all shredding projects are unique. We partner with the most secure, accommodating shredders across the nation, and we’ll help you find your best option.
Give us a call at (800) 747-3365 or fill out the form for free quotes on mobile shredding, off-site shredding, or drop-off shredding services in your area. We look forward to helping you keep your private information safe.
