Paper Shredder FAQs
I understand there are 7 different security levels for paper shredders. Which of these are important to me?
Consumers who want protection against identity theft should consider paper shredders which provide Level P-3 (medium security) to Level P-5 (medium to high security) protection. Level P-1 or P-2 shredders should not be used to shred documents containing confidential information, and Levels P-6 or P-7 are only used for highly confidential documents with fine print to classified/top secret documents.
I’ve seen $30 shredder models and $200 models. How can I be assured of getting the most value for the money I spend?
Well, for starters, you want to consider at least a cross cut shredder if protection of your identity is the reason you are considering a shredder purchase. That will eliminate the cheapest models, which are more likely to be strip cut shredders (providing only Level 1 or 2 security). Then, consider how heavy you might use your shredder. If you have already burned out one or two cheaper models, you might want to consider buying a better shredder. You should get one that can at least handle the heaviest use you will ever throw at it. If you buy enough quality with your next shredder, you should never have to worry about overusing it and burning it out. Cheap shredders are cheap for a reason, and you need to buy a shredder that shreds to your required security level without frequently requiring maintenance or jamming/breaking down.
You should start by reviewing different models online, and reading customer reviews at websites like Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, Newegg.com, etc. Best Paper Shredder Reviews has compiled a list of popular shredders sold at Amazon.com, and each review summarizes Amazon’s reviewer comments for that shredder model.
I don’t understand the differences between cross cut, micro cut, and confetti cut shredders. Can you help me?
Micro cut and confetti cut shredders are different names for the same type of shredder. The differences between cross cut and micro/confetti cut shredders are in the size of the paper shreds created by these machines. The shreds from cross cut shredders average 4mm X 30mm (0.15” X 1.18”), where a standard 8.5” X 11” sheet of paper is cut into about 399 particles. Micro cut shredders cut 2mm X 15mm (0.08” X 0.59”) shreds, cutting a standard paper sheet into about 3,000 particles. Cross cut shredders are considered to be medium security (Level P-3 security) shredders, and micro cut shredders are considered to be medium to high security (Level P-4/P-5 security) shredders. Both types are considered adequate for protection against identity theft.
Note: Most shredders that shred credit cards and/or CDs/DVDs only strip-cut these into narrow pieces. Some users have aired concern that the credit-card strips could be reassembled by a determined identity thief. Bear this in mind for the shredder you are considering using.
Can you explain the differences between some of the brands?
Fellowes is nearly a household name when it comes to paper shredders. Fellowes started distributing European shredders in the U.S. in 1982, and then introduced their own in-house designs in 1990. Fellowes offers a variety of price ranges and features, with their premium shredders possessing fairly advanced qualities. Comet, Aurora, Swingline, and SimplyShred are two other popular brands.
The webmaster of Best Paper Shredder Reviews is partial to SimplyShred machines (marketed by SimplyGlobo, Inc.). He purchased a SimplyShred heavy duty, 12 sheet cross cut shredder from Amazon.com in April of 2009. This purchase was made based on a video posted by a reviewer that demonstrated the shredder’s capabilities. All previous shredders purchased before this one died within a year or two of buying; this shredder has been great and should last for several more years of use.
All of the shredders reviewed at Best Paper Shredder Reviews are good sellers at Amazon.com, with solid comments by reviewers.
I understand that you should only shred documents printed on 20 lb. paper. Is this true?
You should always consult your shredder manual to see what your shredder will actually shred. Being able to shred 12 sheets of paper per pass does not mean just any kind of paper. Most shredder manuals will tell you not to shred newsprint, continuous forms, or cardboard. Most manuals will also tell you not to shred any paper with adhesives on it, to include both labels and envelopes. Most will tell you not to shred business envelopes with plastic windows in them. Most will tell you not to shred plastic other than credit cards or CDs/DVDs (no laminates or transparencies), and to only use the designated slots for cards and media.
The reason for not shedding envelopes/business envelopes is the adhesive on the flaps and the plastic windows of business envelopes can gum-up the cutters. This means when you get those credit card offerings in the mail, do not automatically shred the unopened piece of mail. Instead, open the offering and just shred the piece of paper containing your name and personal information on it. Throw away or recycle the rest as junk mail. Look at it this way: why fill your shredder basket up with paper that does not need to be shredded? Most of those mail offerings contain lots of loose paper that won’t give away your identity.
What about shredders that claim to shred through paperclips and staples?
It is true that many shredders can shred staples and small (but not large) paper clips. Realize, however, that the cutters on your shredder will stay sharper longer if you stick to just shredding paper according to the manual of your shredder. For the occasional paper clip or staple that slips through; if your shredder is rated for these, it should be okay.
How often should my shredder be oiled?
Paper shredders require regular lubrication, and the frequency of oiling should be based on the amount of usage. Shredders that are used more will need more lubrication. A shredder under very heavy usage will need oil about once every four hours. Normal usage may only require oiling about once a month. Most manufacturers recommend oiling the cutters for every 30 minutes of accumulative shredding. However, the easiest way to stick to a lubricating schedule is to simply oil your shredder every time you empty the waste bin.
You can lubricate your shredder by shredding specially impregnated shredder lubrication sheets purchased at your office supply store, or by squirting some shredder oil across the width of a piece of paper and running this sheet through the cutters. Feed the lubrication sheet through the shredder and then operate the machine in the reverse mode for a few seconds to disperse the oil throughout the cutting cylinders. Finally, shred a few sheets of paper to remove any excess oil. You may have to repeat his procedure a couple of times to be assured of thorough oiling.
I have a huge box of papers saved up, so my next shredder will be put to the test immediately. Will that be a good assessment of its capabilities?
Perhaps, but it is highly recommended that you read your shredder manual before you even plug your shredder in. The manual should list your new shredder’s duty-cycle, which is its recommended frequency of use. It will tell you that your shredder can be run continuously for only 5 or 10 minutes before needing a 20 to 40 minute cool down. It will also tell you the recommended daily use; i.e., the number of paper passes and the number of credit cards or CDs/DVDs that can be shredded in one day of use. If you have a backlog of shredding to do, you should bear this in mind when you first use your new shredder.
The main reason for using a recommended duty cycle is to keep your shredder from overheating. Some shredders have an overheat sensor and will shutdown automatically if this sensor is tripped.
Are there any regulations governing paper shredding?
Indirectly so. Two federal regulations cover protecting consumers from identity theft. These are the 2003 Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), and 2009 refinements to the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). FACTA requires that all businesses, regardless of size or industry, protect and dispose of sensitive and personal data they collect about their customers. The law doesn’t specify shredding documents as a requirement, but most businesses recognize shredding as the most cost-effective and practical option to comply with the law.
The 2009 changes to HIPPA involved passage of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. The HITECH rule stiffens civil and criminal penalties associated with failure to protect personal medical information as required by HIPPA. Again, the law doesn’t specify shredding papers as a requirement, but most doctor’s office and medical billing agencies understand that shredding personal medical information is the most cost-effective and practical option to comply with the law.
Businesses and medical offices which do their own document destruction need to ensure that the shredders they purchase will keep them FACTA and HIPPA compliant.
Leave a Reply