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Beyond the Shredder: Best Practices for Shredding Security

When it comes to protecting sensitive data, shredding paper isn’t enough—you need a secure system and a reliable partner. At Maple Leaf Shredding, we go beyond the shredder to help businesses across British Columbia and surrounding areas stay secure, compliant, and protected.

Here’s a list of essential best practices to elevate your shredding security and reduce the risk of data breaches.

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🔒 1. Know What Needs to Be Shredded

Shredding isn’t just for outdated paperwork. Private information lives on:

• HR and employee files

• Medical records

• Banking statements

• Marketing reports

• Client contracts

• USB drives and hard disks

If it contains names, numbers, or signatures, it needs to be securely destroyed.

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✅ 2. Choose a Certified Shredding Provider

Office shredders may seem convenient, but they’re slow, prone to jams, and leave you vulnerable. Worse, improperly shredded documents can be pieced back together.

Maple Leaf Shredding provides:

• On-site shredding with locked bins

• One-time purge services

• Drop-off shredding options

• Certificates of destruction for your records

Need help choosing the right option? Check out our shredding services here.

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📝 3. Set Up a Shredding Policy

A clear, company-wide shredding policy outlines:

• What should be shredded

• How documents should be handled

• Where documents are stored until destruction

This prevents errors and ensures every department follows the same shredding protocol.

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🔐 4. Secure Documents Before Shredding

Leaving sensitive files in open recycling bins or on desks is a major security risk. We recommend locked collection consoles that we pick up during scheduled visits.

Our scheduled on-site shredding includes secure 32-gallon or 65-gallon bins to store documents safely until destruction. Learn more about bin sizes and pricing.

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💽 5. Shred Digital Data, Too

Old hard drives, memory cards, or laptops can contain years of sensitive files—even if you “delete” them.

Ask us about media destruction services to ensure digital files are gone forever.

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📄 6. Request a Certificate of Destruction

Every shredding session should include a Certificate of Destruction. It’s your documented proof that materials were securely handled and disposed of, and it helps with legal compliance (especially under PIPEDA and provincial privacy laws).

All services from Maple Leaf Shredding include certificates at no extra cost.

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👥 7. Train Your Team

Human error is the weakest link in any data protection plan. Train staff regularly on how to:

• Recognize sensitive documents

• Use secure shredding bins

• Avoid digital risks like phishing

Security culture starts with your team.

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🔚 Final Thoughts: Shredding Security Starts With You

Document shredding is the foundation of a secure office—but it only works if done right. Partnering with a professional shredding company like Maple Leaf Shredding means you don’t have to worry about mistakes, non-compliance, or leaks.

We’re here to protect your data—one secure shred at a time.

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📞 Ready to upgrade your shredding security?
Call us at 604-227-2020 or Get a Quote now.
We offer flexible on-site shredding, one-time purges, and drop-off services for businesses across BC.

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