You might see document shredding as a low-priority task that can wait, especially with everything else on your plate. However, protecting your personal and sensitive information is non-negotiable. In this blog post, we’ll share ten compelling reasons why shredding unwanted financial documents, employee records, customer files, and more is important to security and peace of mind.

1. Prevent Data Breaches

Identity theft and fraud are rampant, and discarded documents can provide criminals with the personal information they need. Document shredding protects confidential information—payroll details, financial statements, and client data—in a strictly controlled shredding facility. This way, you can dramatically lower the risk of a data breach and protect your business and its clients.

2. Protect Customer Privacy

Trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship. When you shred expired or unnecessary records and securely conceal their personal, medical, and financial information, you show you care about guarding your customers’ most sensitive data. This builds trust and reinforces client loyalty.

3. Declutter for Productivity

Storing piles of outdated documents consumes valuable physical and mental space, making it harder to maintain an organized and productive environment. Shred unnecessary papers using any of Eggleston’s flexible service programs to declutter your workspace and create a more energetic atmosphere.

4. Get Added Convenience

Using an office shredder can be inconvenient—our secure shredding service means you don’t have to pluck out staples and paper clips before shredding. We strategically place secure shredding bins throughout your workplace for quick disposal of files and have routinely scheduled pickups. Depending on your demands, we can collect these containers weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, ensuring your documents are shredded securely within our established chain of custody.

5. Meet Regulatory Compliance

Various laws require businesses to securely dispose of personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI)—especially in the healthcare, law, and financial industries. Regularly shredding your documents helps you comply with these regulations while protecting your organization from potential hefty fines and penalties that can arise from non-compliance.

Shredding documents helps you meet local, state, and federal requirements like:

• Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA)
• Virginia Privacy Protection Act
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
• Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Disposal Rule
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) 

6. Respect the Environment

Shredding documents is environmentally sustainable since responsibly shredded materials are often recycled into new products. It ensures that the shredded paper is processed for recycling to lower waste and conserve resources.

7. Remove Fire Hazards

Like trees and wildfires, nothing ignites faster than paper. Piles of paper tucked away in cluttered spaces greatly increase fire risks. Regularly purging and professionally shredding old documents lowers waste and makes your office safer.

8. Provide Meaningful Employment

Eggleston’s document shredding service in Norfolk also creates fulfilling job opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, veterans, and others. These jobs help individuals gain valuable skills and secure a promising career.

For many, working in shredding operations offers a structured environment where they can thrive, build relationships, and contribute to their communities. This approach supports personal growth and fosters inclusivity in the workforce, enabling individuals to take pride in their work and enjoy camaraderie with their colleagues.

9. Save Time and Energy

One of the best reasons for using a professional shredding service like Eggleston is how much time and energy it saves your team. When you have regular shredding pickups scheduled, your staff won’t need to waste valuable hours manually shredding documents anymore. This means they can focus on what they do best, increasing overall productivity and making better use of everyone’s time. By letting us handle the shredding, you simplify your operations and create a smoother workflow within your organization.

10. Work Without Worry

Finally, shredding documents provides peace of mind. Knowing that your sensitive information is carefully destroyed relieves anxiety about potential breaches. Eggleston provides certificates of destruction for your files for proof of secure disposal.

Eggleston disposes of your documents safely and proactively, enriching the community in the process. Contact us today to book an appointment!