Do you know how beneficial regular disposing of old documents and paperwork can be?
In a lot of ways, it’s like hitting the Reset button as a business. It will help clear out your trash and make space for new receipts, old packages from deliveries you’ve received, or any other documents you’ve been accumulating.
Figuring out how to dispose of your documents the right way isn’t always obvious. We’re going to tell you the best practices for document disposal in this guide, giving you a jump start on your journey to a happier, greener, and more organized home, office, or shared space.
1. Sort Your Documents
One of the most common questions is what paper documents should be shredded and which ones should be kept. The answer isn’t always clear-cut, but some general best practices can help guide your decision-making.
For starters, it’s important to understand the difference between confidential and sensitive information. Confidential information is information that, if released, could lead to identity theft or fraud. This includes things like social security numbers, account numbers, and birthdates.
Sensitive information is information that, while not necessarily confidential, should be kept private. This includes things like wage statements, performance reviews, and medical records.
You should store sensitive documents in a safe place until you are ready to dispose of them. This will help to keep them organized and prevent them from being lost or stolen.
How long you keep these records will vary depending on the purpose of the document, so be sure to consult an expert if you’re unsure. Following these guidelines should help you make smart decisions about what to shred and what to keep. If you’re ever in doubt, err on the side of caution.
2. Shred Documents That Contain Confidential or Sensitive Information
You should always shred documents that contain confidential or sensitive information. This will help to prevent identity theft and protect your data privacy. In general, you should err on the side of caution and shred anything that contains confidential or sensitive information.
However, there are some documents that you should keep regardless. These include tax records, property records, and records of major financial transactions.
3. Recycle Any Documents That You Can
You should recycle any documents that you can. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills and save resources.
To recycle your paper documents, you can shred them and then place them in a recycling bin. You can also take them to a local recycling center.
4. Use a Shredder or Hire A Shredding Company
Destroy documents using a cross-cut or micro-cut shredder. This will reduce the chances of identity theft and other crimes. It is also important to make sure that documents are completely unreadable before disposing of them.
Another way is to use a secure document shredding company. This company will come to your location and pick up the documents for destruction.
Follow These Practices for Proper Document Disposal
When it comes to document disposal, there are a few best practices to follow. Always shred documents that contain sensitive information. This will help prevent identity theft and protect your privacy. Recycle as much as possible to help reduce landfill waste.
And finally, be sure to properly dispose of any documents that contain confidential information to ensure that this information does not fall into the wrong hands. By following these best practices, you can help keep your information safe and secure.
If this content helped you, check out our other blog posts to learn more!
