Shredding Paper With Staples

Introduction: What Documents need staples removed to be destroyed?

When it comes to document destruction, many people wonder if they need to remove staples and paper clips from their documents before shredding them. This article covers different areas of shredding paper with staples, including the types of shredders available, their capabilities, and the best ways to prepare your documents for shredding.

What Documents Should I Shred?

Sensitive documents that contain personal, financial, or confidential information should be securely destroyed to prevent identity theft and fraud. There are multiple documents containing confidential information including bank statements, credit card bills, medical records, and tax documents. 

Preparing Documents for Shredding

Do I Have to Remove Staples and Paper Clips Before Sending Documents to be Shredded?

The short answer is no; you don’t have to remove staples and paper clips before shredding your documents. Most modern shredders, especially heavy-duty and commercial-grade models, are designed to handle small metal items such as staples and paper clips without any issues.

However, it’s worth noting that large quantities of metal can cause wear and tear on the shredder blades over time, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. While it’s not necessary to remove staples and paper clips from your documents, doing so can help prolong the life of your shredder.

Types of Shredders and Their Capabilities

The shredders commonly available in the market can be categorised into three major types: strip-cut, cross-cut, and micro-cut. Strip-cut shredders are the least secure, cutting paper into long strips. Cross-cut shredders offer a higher level of security by cutting paper into small confetti-like pieces. Micro-cut shredders provide the highest level of security, shredding paper into tiny particles.

Most cross-cut and micro-cut shredders can handle staples and paper clips without any issues. If you’re unsure about your shredder’s capabilities, consult the user manual or contact the manufacturer for clarification.

Understanding Heavy-Duty Shredders

Heavy-duty shredders are designed for high-volume shredding and can handle a wide range of materials, including paper with staples and paper clips. These shredders are ideal for businesses that need to shred large amounts of documents regularly.

Going Beyond Paper Shredding

In today’s digital age, it’s not just physical paper that can hold confidential information. Electronic entities such as floppy disks, DVDs and CDs are all capable of holding a vast amount of personal information. While some heavy-duty shredders can handle CDs and DVDs, it’s important to remember that shredding electronic media is less efficient, and the data may still be potentially recoverable. Outsourcing media destruction to a professional company ensures secure and efficient disposal of sensitive information.