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? The Hidden Costs of In-House Shredding vs Professional Paper Shredding Services

Featured Image Suggestion: A comparison image showing an office worker struggling with a small shredder vs a truck from a shredding company.
Alt Text: Comparison of in-house shredding and professional shredding services.

Introduction

Many businesses believe they’re saving money by managing their paper shredding in-house. However, what often goes unnoticed are the hidden costs — both financial and operational — that come with this decision.

In this blog, we’ll break down the true costs of in-house shredding, explore the benefits of outsourcing to professional shredding providers like S&S Document, and help you make an informed decision that saves time, money, and protects your business.

? The Time Cost of In-House Shredding

Office shredders are designed for occasional use — not for handling large volumes of sensitive documents. Employees often spend hours feeding papers, removing staples, and fixing jams.

? Consider these time-drains:

• Manually removing paperclips and staples

• Sorting documents

• Small shredder bin emptying

• Clearing paper jams

Over time, these tasks reduce productivity and take staff away from core business functions.

? Learn about our secure shredding services

? The Financial Cost of In-House Shredding

At first glance, an office shredder seems like a one-time purchase. But when you account for:
✅ Equipment maintenance and replacement
✅ Electricity usage
✅ Staff wages for shredding hours
✅ Disposal costs of shredded waste

…it becomes clear that in-house shredding is more expensive than it seems.

Real Cost Example

Let’s say your team spends 3 hours a week shredding documents.
If your average wage is £15/hour → That’s £45/week or over £2,300/year — not including equipment costs!

? Security Risks of In-House Shredding

Small office shredders don’t produce high-security shred sizes. Strips or cross-cut pieces can potentially be reconstructed by determined thieves.

Common in-house shredding risks:
❌ Improperly shredded documents
❌ Sensitive material left unattended
❌ Bags of shredded paper not securely disposed of

In contrast, S&S Document provides certified destruction and secure chain of custody at every stage.

? See our GDPR shredding compliance guide

✅ Benefits of Professional Paper Shredding Services

1️⃣ Time Savings

Our industrial shredders can handle thousands of sheets in minutes — no need to remove staples or clips. Your team stays focused on their real work.

2️⃣ Cost Efficiency

Outsourcing eliminates equipment costs, maintenance, and disposal fees. You pay a predictable, affordable rate for a superior service.

3️⃣ Compliance

S&S Document issues certificates of destruction and follows GDPR, Data Protection Act, and industry standards to ensure your compliance.

4️⃣ Environmental Responsibility

We guarantee 100% recycling of shredded paper — helping you meet CSR goals.

? Discover our offsite document storage solutions

⚠️ The Environmental Cost of DIY Shredding

Small shredders often produce waste that isn’t recycled — or ends up in landfill due to contamination.

S&S Document ensures that all shredded paper is responsibly recycled, reducing your carbon footprint and supporting the circular economy.

? External Resources

? Carbon Trust: Business Carbon Footprint Advice
(Alt text: Carbon Trust business carbon footprint guidance.)

? ICO: Data Protection Best Practices
(Alt text: ICO data protection advice for businesses.)

? In-House vs Professional Shredding: At a Glance

? Why S&S Document Is the Right Choice

✅ GDPR & Data Protection Act compliant
✅ Certificates of destruction provided
✅ Flexible service — on-site or off-site shredding
✅ 100% paper recycling
✅ Affordable rates tailored to your volume

? Contact us today for a free quote and audit of your shredding needs!