Solving the Shredded Paper Problem

Keeping all our documents organized can be challenging. Regularly decluttering your document storage can be a very freeing way to release old “baggage.” If it is time for you to free up some space (physically and mentally), one of the places you may want to lighten your load is your old bank statements and tax documents.

 

 

How long do we need to hold onto them? Forbes has a handy article for helping you decide what stays and what can go.

 

It’s a no-brainer for most people that when we are done with our regular household paper, we drop it in the recycle bin and give it a chance to be useful once more. What happens when we no longer need to hold on to our important documents?

 

Okay, so you have tackled your old document removal project. Now, you have a pile of documents you no longer need to hold onto. You aren’t going to want your personal information available to identity thieves. There are a few ways to choose from to destroy the documents securely. One of the most popular methods is to shred them.

  

Here is where the problem comes in. Shredded paper is NOT generally accepted in curbside recycling. Even when it is kept in a box or paper bag, many waste collection companies suggest it go to the landfill instead.

How do we keep our outdated sensitive documents secure AND recycle the paper simultaneously?

 

  

 

 

 

Shredded paper creates several difficulties in the recycling process. When the small pieces of paper are uncontained, separating them from other materials is much more challenging, which can lead to contamination issues.

 

The mechanisms that assist in the sorting process are designed to identify size A5 (5⅞ x 8¼” / 14.8 x 21cm) and larger, so smaller pieces fall through. These paper shreds that fall off the conveyor frequently get stuck underneath the mechanism, causing operations to be halted while machines are cleaned out.

 

During the shredding process, tiny dust-sized particles are produced. These small particles are easily ignitable, which leads to an increased fire hazard.

 

 

Several professional document shredding companies provide convenient and secure shredding services. Many even have the paper recycled once the data destruction has taken place. Depending on the company you choose, recycling the shredded paper may be considered an additional service that comes with a fee.

 

It can make sense to do this for some people. The amount of time it takes to feed the mountain of pages through your home shredder could be put to better use.

 

For others, having a shredder at home with a “shred as you go” system would make more sense. Home shredders aren’t very expensive, and it is a one-time purchase that can last many years when properly maintained.

 

 

There are other options for keeping your information safe that don’t require shredding and the inherent issues that it presents. For instance, if there are only a few words on the page or a small section, you may be able to block them out with a marker and place the page in the recycle bin instead.

  

Furthermore, if only a small section of the page contains sensitive data, you could tear off that small section and drop the rest of the page in the recycle bin.

 

If you enjoy camping or have a backyard fire pit, you could crumple the paper into a ball and use it as a fire starter. Be sure to find out whether starting a fire in your area is safe (and legal). Some cities have laws or regulations regarding yard fires, so check with your local government’s website before using this option.

 

My personal favorite is going completely paperless whenever possible. So many places have ways to skip the paper copy. Banks, utility companies, and even grocery stores can give you the option to access your data securely online while eliminating the need for a paper copy.

 

  

   

Paper Beads
Papier Mache
Celebration Decorations 
Handmade Paper
Cards – Gift Tags
Seed/Flower Paper

There are many practical uses for shredded paper outdoors, too. If you have a garden or homestead, shredded paper can be a free resource you didn’t even realize you had.

 

If you have a hamster cage, chicken coop, or any other animal that nestles down at night in straw, you can add shredded paper to their nesting box and save yourself some money.

 

Shredded paper is also compostable and can be added to your curbside or backyard compost bin as a brown material. Using mixed papers in your compost is a great way to increase the carbon content in your compost bin, which will help the green materials to break down more easily. Remember, remove any glossy papers before shredding if your paper shreds are destined for the compost or in the garden. Also, you will want to avoid shredding envelopes with plastic windows as they will not be ideal for garden nutrient levels.

 

Once you’ve prepared the spot for your vegetables to be planted in your garden, you can throw some paper in the hole and soak it. Then, add your layer of compost and your plant.

 

You can save money on mulch, too, by covering the ground around your plants or trees with shredded paper. This will help keep weeds in check and provide an insulating layer to help retain soil moisture.