How to Recycle Shredded Paper?

What is Shredded Paper & Where Does It Come From?

Shredded paper is a byproduct of secure document destruction processes, essential for maintaining confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations. 

At Shred-it, shredded paper primarily originates from businesses and organisations seeking to safeguard sensitive information. This shredded material undergoes rigorous security measures before being recycled into various paper products, contributing to both environmental sustainability and data security.

What is the Paper Recycling Process?

In a typical secure shredded paper recycling process, the secure consoles are collected and emptied on a regularly scheduled basis by security-vetted staff, and all confidential documents are either shredded on site, or in a secure location. The entire process is securely tracked via a hand-held scanning device and a Certificate of Destruction is issued for every service, providing a complete audit trail for the customer. 

All shredded paper is recycled, and it improves the paper recycling process because of the high levels of good quality white office paper and minimal contaminants (particularly plastics) mixed in with the shredded paper.

The shredded paper is then baled and transported directly to a paper mill for recycling.  At the mill, the fibres of the shredded paper are separated and made into pulp. The pulp is then put through a screening process that filters out any impurities and prepares it for the removal of printing ink.  Finally, this pulp is mixed with fresh pulp to manufacture new paper products.

How Does Recycling Paper Help the Environment?

This recycling process can dramatically reduce the environmental impact of corporate organisations, and the benefits are invaluable. Some estimates indicate that each tonne of paper that is recycled saves:

• 2.7 cubic meters of landfill space (plus the pollution caused by rotting paper waste in a landfill give off toxic greenhouse gases)
• 17 trees which will absorb 113kgs of carbon dioxide each year
• 1,400 litres of oil
• 4,100 kilowatts of energy
• 26,500 litres of water

For more information on how to make your organisation ‘greener’ and to ensure environmental good practice, here are some practical tips.