Common Questions Planet Shred

Why should my company shred documents?

You have a legal responsibility to prevent sensitive client or employee information from falling into the wrong hands. Our secure document destruction service helps you meet this obligation. Regular document destruction by shredding service is a key practice for securing all sensitive business information. It contributes to environmental sustainability, boosts operational efficiency, and ensures regulatory compliance.
We have an office shredder. Why should we outsource our shredding?

PLANET SHRED's service is typically more cost-effective than in-house shredding. Savings include the elimination of the cost of shredding equipment & maintenance, time-consuming sorting and shredding labor, power costs, and disposal costs. Plus, employees can focus on their jobs, not shredding. Finally, you’ll have a Certificate of Destruction as proof should you need to defend yourself in the event of a breach.
Do we have to remove staples, paper clips and binder clips?

No. Our heavy duty, state-of-the-art truck will easily shred this material.
Are there any restrictions about what we can we put in the security containers?

Yes. Our service is for mixed office paper and file folders only. We do not accept, for example, newspapers, magazines, hard cover books or 3-Ring Binders. Also, we cannot accept X-Rays/MRIs mixed with the paper.
Can you destroy X-Rays and/or MRIs?

Yes. Segregate X-Rays and/or MRIs from your paper material and call us to schedule a special pick-up.
What happens to the paper after our documents are destroyed?

All shredded paper is securely transported by PLANET SHRED to a recycling plant. The recycling plant bails the shredded material for transport to a paper mill. The mill de-inks and then breaks down all paper to a pulp fiber ensuring final and absolute destruction of your confidential documents.
Do you screen your employees?

Yes. We expect the highest level of integrity from all PLANET SHRED employees. Our employees are screened, bonded, uniformed and easily identified with a PLANET SHRED ID Badge. In addition, all employees have signed formal Confidentiality Agreements.
How do you ensure the security of our documents?

All material is shredded at your location, and we never touch your confidential documents. Your documents are deposited directly into the shredder automatically. We do not sift through your material or hand feed the shredder.
Do your employees ever see our documents?

No. Our shredding equipment hydraulically lifts and tips your documents directly into the shredder.
How do you implement HIPAA privacy and security compliance?

PLANET SHRED is a trusted HIPAA Compliant Business Associate of numerous medical practices, medical centers, and healthcare facilities. We strictly adhere to all requirements and regulations for the secured destruction of confidential materials to ensure PHI, or protected health information, is treated properly. Our Operations Manual sets forth the policies and procedures required of our drivers to service consoles/containers, transport confidential material to the truck, and securely shred the material.
May we witness destruction of our information?

Yes. Video cameras capture the shredding process which may be viewed via a monitor located on the side of our truck.
How do I know everything has been destroyed?

Our equipment uses a “pierce and tear” method which renders your documents into very small, unreadable pieces. Your material is then mixed with 5 tons of other shredded material making it impossible to reconstruct.
Do you offer a certificate of destruction?

Yes. PLANET SHRED issues a Certificate of Destruction to document the secure destruction of your material.
What if I only need shredding periodically or just once?

We service many residential and business clients who use us just once as well as those who need to shred regularly.
How much advance notice do I need to give before booking?

We can typically schedule your job within 5-7 days of your request.
Will you take our empty boxes?

For business clients we can take empty boxes to a recycler for a nominal fee. We do not take boxes for residential clients except for Off-Site jobs.
Do we need to pay when you shred or can you issue an invoice?

Business clients can pay us at time of service or within 30 days of the issuance of the invoice. Residential clients pay at time of service.
What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards.