FAQ
FAQs about Midwest’s Leading Shredding Services
Find answers to FAQs about shredding, regulated medical waste disposal & media disposal services. Trust Shredder MedShred in the Midwest for services.
Frequently Asked Questions on Shredding Services in the Midwest
At The Shredder + MedShred, we specialize in providing AAA-rated compliant shredding, recycling, and destruction services across the Midwest. Our commitment to secure and efficient disposal of sensitive documents, electronic media, and medical waste is unmatched. Serving Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, Kansas City, Mason City, Council Bluffs, Twin Cities, and surrounding areas, we aim to ensure that your sensitive information and specialized waste are handled with utmost care and confidentiality.
We have an office shredder. Why should we outsource our shredding?
Outsourcing your shredding services to The Shredder MedShred guarantees secure, compliant disposal while saving time, saving money and reducing risk.
Smaller office shredders will only shred a few sheets of paper at a time. With more and more paper needing to be shredded, this method is time consuming. In an office, employee productivity is very important. An already overburdened employee uses valuable time shredding paper when they should be focusing on core tasks. This is expensive and demoralizing. Ironically, the smaller the office is, the bigger impact on productivity. This can lead employees to by-pass the shredding process so that much of what should be destroyed is simply discarded. This can lead to increased risk for businesses large and small.
By using The Shredder + MedShred security collection equipment, provided at no cost, compliance is easy. Materials that require shredding are simply deposited and forgotten. On a preset schedule, developed and customized to your needs, The Shredder + MedShred will collect and secure destroy all sensitive or confidential information.
Why hire a shredding company?
Hiring a secure shredding company is the most effective way to ensure all confidential or sensitive material is destroyed. Security collection containers provided by The Shredder protects materials from people who have no need to see it. Shredded material from in office shredders is typically discarded in normal waste streams where bad actors can use software to scan and recreate shredded materials. Hiring The Shredder ensures that all materials destroyed are mixed with thousands of pounds of additional shredded material, baled and sent for recycling in a secure process making it impossible for documents to be recreated.
What is the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) and what does it mean to be NAID Certified?
NAID is a non-profit trade association that sets the standards and best practices for the information destruction industry. NAID is well-known for its certification, which is sough after by businesses when partnering with document destruction companies. NAID certification is a program for companies that provide destruction services to help businesses verify that a shredding company meets strict information disposal standards established by the National Association of Information Destruction. NAID verifies through scheduled and random audits throughout the year that shredding companies maintain strict compliance and best practices to ensure regulatory due diligence obligations. Noncompliance will result in a company losing their NAID certification.
What services does The Shredder + MedShred offer?
We specialize in providing secure and reliable medical waste disposal and shredding services. Our services include:
- Medical Waste Disposal
- Sharps Waste Disposal
- Document Shredding
- Paper Shredding
- Hard Drive Destruction
- Laptop Destruction Service
- Electronic Media Destruction
- On-Site Shredding Services
- Off-Site Shredding Services
- Residential Shredding Services
- Business Shredding Services
- Consulting Services
- Compliance Training
What is included in the service?
Our Shredder + MedShred service includes the collection, transportation, and secure disposal of confidential or sensitive information and medical waste, including sharps, ensuring full compliance with safety standards.
I only need secure shredding or medical waste services, can I still use The Shredder + MedShred?
Yes! You do not need to use us for both services. We can provide each service individually, however, many times we can offer discounts to customers who bundle services with us.
What is the importance of secure document shredding?
Secure document shredding protects sensitive information from unauthorized access and identity theft, ensuring compliance with privacy laws.
How does this process work?
- Contact Us and a representative of The Shredder + MedShred will discuss your specific service needs and requirements. If needed, we can even visit your facility for a free site assessment.
- The Shredder + MedShred tailors a shredding, medical waste or combined service plan designed around the needs of your business.
- Locked Security containers and/or Medical waste collection containers are strategically placed within your facility.
- Following your tailored shredding or medical waste disposal plan, our mobile shred trucks or collection trucks arrive at predetermined times to service your shredding or medical waste disposal needs.
- Our Certified Destruction Agents will collect and transport all materials to our secure shredding or collection vehicles. Materials designated to be shredding on-site are then shredded at your facility.
- Our Certified Destruction Agent will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction or a Manifest before leaving your facility.
- Shredded material is then processed for recycling and medical waste is further treated prior to proper disposal.
Does your machine shred everything?
Staples, fasteners, and paper clips are also shredded, so there’s no need to take them out. Different materials do require different destruction methods, therefore we do ask that paper products be collected separately from hard drives or medical waste, etc. This ensures we can properly destroy each type of waste. Do not hesitate to contact us to learn about proper separation strategies.
We recycle our sensitive information, is that good enough?
Recycling is insufficient to meet regulator compliance. Most recycling companies do not screen their employees or restrict employment to those of known criminals and access at recycling companies is typical not restricted. Recycling does not provide a Certificate of Destruction for your material.
What receipts are safe to throw away? Which should you shred?
Feel free to contact us for our recommended document retention schedules showing how long you should keep records before safely destroying them. Shred all receipts containing sensitive information such as your name, address, credit card number, or any other identifiable details. Here is a list of important documents and receipts that should be shredded to protect your personal and sensitive information:
- Bank Statements – Contains sensitive financial information that can be used for identity theft.
- Credit Card Statements and Receipts – Prevent unauthorized access to your credit card details.
- Tax Documents – Includes personal identification information and financial records.
- Medical Records and Bills – Protects your private health information and prevents medical identity theft.
- Pay Stubs – Contains sensitive employment and financial information.
- Utility Bills – Prevents unauthorized access to your address and account details.
- Insurance Policies and Claims – Protects your personal and policy information from falling into the wrong hands.
- Investment Documents – Includes sensitive information about your investment accounts.
- Old Identification Documents – Such as expired passports, driver’s licenses, and social security cards.
Loan Documents – Prevents exposure of your personal and financial loan details
Do you offer on-site shredding services?
Yes, we offer both on-site and off-site shredding services to meet your specific needs.
How do you handle hard drive destruction?
We use state-of-the-art technology to physically destroy hard drives, rendering data unrecoverable and ensuring compliance with data protection laws.
How do you ensure the secure destruction of electronic media?
We utilize industrial-grade shredders and adhere to strict protocols to ensure the secure destruction of electronic media, including CDs, DVDs, and USB drives.
How do I know my data is securely destroyed?
We provide a certificate of destruction upon completion, verifying that your data has been securely destroyed according to industry standards.
How long does the shredding process take?
The time required for shredding depends on the volume and type of materials. Our team will provide an estimate based on your specific needs.
What types of medical waste do you handle?
Our MedShred services handle various types of medical waste, including biohazardous waste, red bag, yellow bag, sharps waste, and pharmaceutical waste, ensuring safe and compliant disposal.
Why choose The Shredder + MedShred for sharps waste disposal?
We offer comprehensive sharps waste disposal services that ensure safe and compliant handling of biohazardous materials. Our state-of-the-art technology and adherence to stringent regulations guarantee the secure disposal of sharps, safeguarding public health and the environment.
What goes into smaller collection containers vs. larger collection containers?
Smaller collection containers are used for items like needles and syringes, while larger containers can handle bulkier waste. Loose sharps should never be dumped into larger containers without proper containment.
Is there a weight limit for collection container systems?
Yes, each collection container system has a specified weight limit to ensure safe transport and disposal. Please refer to the container guidelines or contact us for more information.
Can I put liquids in any of these systems?
No, liquids should not be placed in these systems unless specifically designed for liquid disposal. Proper containment of liquids is essential to prevent spills and contamination.
What documentation am I required to keep for my records?
You are required to keep documentation that includes proof of compliant disposal, typically provided through a Manifest or a Certificate of Destruction. This documentation is crucial for regulatory compliance and audits. We will provide you with these documents and if you happen to misplace them, we keep copies for you.
How do you ensure compliance with regulations?
Our services adhere to all relevant local, state, and federal regulations. We are NAID AAA certified, which guarantees that our shredding and disposal processes meet the highest standards of security and compliance.
How often should I schedule shredding services?
The frequency of shredding services depends on your business needs. We offer regular, scheduled services as well as one-time shredding solutions.
How do I schedule a shredding service?
Simply contact us to discuss your needs and schedule a service.
Not sure how long to keep records for? Download our Guide to Document Retention.
The Shredder + MedShred is dedicated to providing cutting-edge services that offer peace of mind and safeguard your confidential data.
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