Shredding your documents and disposing of them is an excellent way to get rid of your sensitive documents and papers whether they are personal or commercial in nature. Experts recommend not putting your documents with personal or financial details into a trash bin or recycling collection.
Likewise, you must shred your papers correctly to avoid identity theft. A potential thief can misuse your confidential information, such as a credit card number, to steal your identity and purchase different things. In this article, we will tell you how to dispose of shredded paper correctly. Read on!
Call Your Local Council
Call your local council to find out whether it accepts shredded paper. Many local councils in the UK collect shredded paper in the household recycling collections. Check your local council’s laws or policies before throwing shredded paper into the trash can.
Some local councils in the UK require homeowners to put the paper in a bag or envelop before throwing it in the recycle bin. Make sure you shred the paper into smaller pieces to avoid the risk of identity theft (if the documents contain personal information).
Contact a Pickup Service
It is a secure and eco-friendly way to dispose of sensitive shredded paper. There are various service providers in the UK, and each one has its own level of security. For instance, some shredding services will do the shredding for you and dispose of the documents.
Bear in mind that you will have to pay the pickup or drop-off service to get rid of shredded documents. Some service providers even mix your shredded documents with others, making it challenging to piece anything together.
Compost Your Shredded Paper
Composting your shredded paper is one of the best and eco-friendly ways to dispose of it. Paper is a rich source of carbon for your compost pile and can help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
There are a few things to consider when composing your shredded paper. For instance, you must not put it out in the open where someone could find it. Likewise, if you have glossy or heavily inked papers, make sure you avoid composting them. Otherwise, it could potentially harm the soil.
Reuse the Shredded Paper
Although there are various ways to dispose of shredded paper, you can repurpose it. For example, you can use it for packaging purposes. Fill a box with your shredded documents and put in the item that you want to ship.
Likewise, you can use shredded paper for stuffing, which you can use for costumes or scarecrows. You can also use your shredded documents to create pet bedding. For example, if you have a hamster or any other small animal at home, the shredded paper used as bedding can provide a comfortable and warm place for your pet to rest.
Moreover, you can use your shredded paper as mulch in your garden to stop the growth of weeds around the plants. However, avoid using coloured or glossy shredded paper because it won’t break down quickly. It is also not useful for the soil.
Final Words
There are several ways to dispose of shredded paper, such as contacting your local council, a recycling centre, or hiring a private pickup service. Bear in mind that most local councils in the UK do not accept shredded paper because some paper mills can’t process it. You can repurpose your shredded paper at your home for composting or using it as a mulch.
