How a Residence Should Prepare for Shredding

Determine which documents you wish to have destroyed and which you need to retain.

Ask your professional advisors how long you need to retain certain types of documents (eg. legal, financial, medical, deeds, or incidental).  There are legal requirements for retention of certain types of documents, you will need to set retention schedules for your various types of documents.

Once you understand what you can destroy, separate the documents to be destroyed from those to be retained.  Clearly mark the containers of those to be destroyed for the shredding technicians.

Look through the containers with regard to items that should not be in there.  Please refer to our Acceptable Materials sheet for greater clarity.  Please remove all materials that should not be included.  Failure to do so, may result in a fire or destruction of the shredding equipment.

Finding a Certified Information Destruction Service

Find a local NAID Certified Shredding Service through i-SIGMA’s website https://isigmaonline.org/service-provider-locator/.  Some shredding services provide On-Site service and others provide Plant Based Destruction.  Determine which service is best for you.  Call the appropriate shredding service and arrange an appointment for the destruction.  Ask if there are any additional fees which may be charged for the service, and request a written quote for the work.

If your documents will be destroyed via Plant Based Destruction, prepare them as directed for the shipping process.

If the documents are being shredded on-site, ensure that they are separated and clearly marked for destruction.  When the crew arrives to do the shredding, ensure that they know exactly what documents are to be destroyed.

Once the service is completed, obtain your Certificate of Destruction from the service provider.  Retain this document to prove your compliance with your retention schedule and your legal obligations.