Paper shredding is essential for any organisation or individual handling confidential information. From employee records to financial statements, customer data to strategic plans – all sensitive paperwork needs to be properly destroyed when no longer required.
Shredsec provides professional paper shredding and document destruction services throughout Suffolk and East Anglia. Our industrial cross-cut shredders reduce your documents to confetti-sized particles, ensuring complete destruction beyond any possibility of reconstruction.
Why Paper Shredding Matters
Despite the digital age, businesses still generate vast amounts of paperwork containing sensitive information. This paper trail creates significant risks:
Data Breach Risk
Confidential documents in general waste or recycling can be recovered by criminals. A single discarded client file or personnel record could result in:
- Identity theft affecting customers or employees
- Competitive intelligence falling into rivals’ hands
- Regulatory penalties for data protection breaches
- Reputational damage and loss of trust
Legal Requirements
The Data Protection Act and UK GDPR require organisations to dispose of personal data securely. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can impose fines up to £17.5 million for serious breaches involving improper data disposal.
Professional Standards
Many industries have specific requirements for document destruction:
- Legal – SRA guidance on client matter files
- Medical – CQC requirements for patient records
- Financial – FCA rules on client data
- Education – Student record retention and disposal
Document Management Lifecycle
The life of your documents after they’ve served their purpose is just as important as when they’re in use. Effective document destruction should be a planned part of your document management process:
1. Active Use Documents in regular use, stored accessibly
2. Archive Documents retained for legal or business reasons, stored securely
3. Review Regular assessment of archived documents against retention periods
4. Destruction Secure shredding when retention periods expire
5. Certification Certificate of Destruction for audit trail
Shredsec helps with stages 4 and 5 – collecting documents ready for destruction and providing certified proof of secure disposal.
Shredsec’s Paper Shredding Services
We provide comprehensive paper shredding throughout Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and the wider Suffolk and East Anglia region.
Cross-Cut Shredding
Unlike basic strip-cut shredders that produce long ribbons of paper, our industrial cross-cut shredders reduce documents to tiny particles. The two contra-rotating cutting cylinders slice paper in both directions simultaneously, creating confetti-sized pieces measuring just 4mm x 30mm.
This makes reconstruction completely impossible – even the most determined criminal cannot reassemble cross-cut shredded documents.
DIN Level 3 Security
All our shredding meets DIN Level 3 standard (DIN 32757/66399), the minimum recommended level for confidential business documents. This means:
- Maximum particle size: 4mm x 30mm
- Cross-cut technology: Two-direction cutting
- Suitable for: Confidential business documents, personal data, financial records
Higher security levels (DIN 4, 5, 6) are available for classified or highly sensitive material. Learn more about security levels.
Certificate of Destruction
Every shredding job comes with a Certificate of Destruction, documenting:
- Date and time of collection
- Date and time of destruction
- Weight of material processed
- Security level achieved
- Unique reference number
This provides documented proof for compliance audits, regulatory inspections, and client assurance.
Environmentally Responsible
All shredded paper is baled and sent to recycling facilities where it’s processed into new paper products or cardboard. Nothing goes to landfill. By using Shredsec, you’re protecting your data while supporting environmental sustainability.
Types of Documents We Shred
Our paper shredding services handle all confidential documents:
Business documents:
- Financial records and accounts
- Customer and client files
- Contracts and agreements
- Business plans and strategies
- Marketing materials and databases
- Sales records and forecasts
Personnel records:
- Employee files
- Payroll and salary information
- Recruitment applications
- Performance reviews
- Disciplinary records
Professional files:
- Legal case files
- Medical and patient records
- Student records
- Insurance documents
- Tax records
Personal documents:
- Bank and credit card statements
- Utility bills
- Tax returns and P60s
- Medical correspondence
- Insurance policies
Archive materials:
- Historical records
- Old correspondence
- Completed project files
- Expired contracts
- Legacy documents
No Preparation Required
Unlike office shredders, our industrial machines handle everything without preparation:
- Staples and paperclips – Shredded along with paper
- Treasury tags and pins – No need to remove
- Lever arch files – Shredded whole including mechanism
- Ring binders – Complete with contents
- Plastic wallets – With documents inside
- Window envelopes – Plastic windows included
- Carbon paper – Accepted
- Cardboard folders – Shredded with contents
Simply put your documents in boxes, bags or our secure bins – we handle everything else.
Paper Shredding Options
We offer flexible solutions to suit your needs:
Regular Collections
Scheduled shredding (daily, weekly, fortnightly or monthly) with secure lockable bins provided. Ideal for ongoing confidential waste management. Staff simply deposit documents through the anti-fishing slot; we collect, shred and replace bins automatically.
Learn more about regular shredding →
One-Off Shredding
Single collections for office clearouts, archive purges, end-of-year destruction or house moves. No contract required – just book when you need us.
Learn more about one-off shredding →
On-Site Shredding
Our mobile shredding truck comes to your premises. Watch your documents being destroyed on-site for maximum assurance. Ideal for highly sensitive material or when witnessed destruction is required by policy.
Learn more about on-site shredding →
Off-Site Shredding
We collect your documents and shred at our secure facility. More cost-effective than on-site shredding, with the same security standards and Certificate of Destruction.
Learn more about off-site shredding →
Home Shredding
Domestic document destruction for individuals and home offices. Protect yourself from identity theft without the hassle of a home shredder.
Learn more about home shredding →
Paper Shredding vs Office Shredders
| Feature | Shredsec Service | Office Shredder |
|---|---|---|
| Security level | DIN Level 3 (cross-cut) | Usually DIN 1-2 (strip-cut) |
| Speed | 1000kg per hour | 5-10 sheets per minute |
| Staples/clips | Handled automatically | Must remove |
| Lever arch files | Shredded whole | Must dismantle |
| Staff time | Zero | Hours |
| Certificate | Yes | No |
| Maintenance | Our responsibility | Your cost |
| Compliance evidence | Documented | None |
For anything more than occasional personal shredding, professional services are typically more cost-effective and significantly more secure.
Service Area
We provide paper shredding services throughout:
- Bury St Edmunds – Same-day collection available
- Ipswich – Same-day collection available
- Norwich – Next-day collection
- Cambridge – Same-day collection available
- Colchester – Next-day collection
- Newmarket, Stowmarket, Sudbury
Get a Quote
Ready to arrange professional paper shredding?
Call: 0800 654 6507 Email: service@shredsec.com
Tell us:
- Approximate volume (boxes, bags, or bin requirements)
- Whether you need regular collections or one-off service
- Your location
We’ll provide a competitive fixed-price quote with no hidden charges.
Contact Shredsec to discuss your shredding requirements.