July 24, 2025
Shredding Costs: How to Get the Most Return on Investment
Some businesses may think they lack the budget for professional secure document destruction services. However, the alternative of leaving sensitive documents exposed and open to a potential data breach could be far more costly in the long run.
The average cost of a data breach jumped 11% from 4.4 million USD in 2023 to nearly 4.9 million USD in 2024, according to IBM’s annual Cost of a Data Breach report. Additional costs associated with a breach could include regulatory fines, customer loss, and damaged reputation that could affect future revenue. In fact, a Shred-it® survey showed 91% of consumers are more likely to do business with organizations that take data and information protection seriously. Another 81% said they are much less likely to buy from an organization that has experienced a data breach.
Partnering with a provider that offers secure, cost-effective services flexible enough to meet your secure information destruction needs, may provide peace of mind that your confidential information is protected. There are multiple types of services to consider based on the amount of confidential documents your company generates and how urgently you need items securely destroyed:
- Scheduled document shredding is ideal for organizations generating a large amount of paper waste. Licensed and screened drivers arrive at specific times to pick up and shred documents—either off-site or on-site with mobile shredding trucks. Shred-it®’s document destruction service provides lockable containers where staff can dispose of paper when they are no longer needed, keeping them secure until they are shredded. Shred-it® offers customizable pricing plans based on your specific needs and service frequency.
- A one-time shredding service is suitable for organizations purging excess paper, transitioning to a digital-first strategy, or moving. On a scheduled date, a Shred-it® professional will collect all confidential documents and ensure they are destroyed, either onsite in a mobile shredding truck or at one of our secure shredding facilities. Depending on the urgency, express and priority options are available to ensure quick shredding when needed.
- Drop-off shredding* is ideal for remote workers and individuals with old files, notes, and documents in the office or home workspace. You can prepay online and drop off documents at any of Shred-it®’s many locations* across the country at your convenience.
- Secure hard drive destruction* ensures outdated equipment is properly destroyed. Data or information wiped from hard drives can still exist, posing risks. Shred-it® employs state-of-the-art methods like crushing and shearing to ensure data is unrecoverable. Choose between regularly scheduled sessions or one-time events.
- Secure media destruction* destroys outdated media storage, such as CDs, floppy disks, and zip drives, to ensure confidential information remains secure, regardless of the format.
- Product and specialty shredding* offers secure disposal for items that can't be disposed of using typical methods. Confidential information isn't limited to digital data and paper documents. Products containing sensitive or proprietary information should be securely disposed of to prevent theft or fraud, protecting your organization or brand from potential risks.
Considerations Before Choosing a Secure Document and Hard Drive Destruction Service
When deciding which shredding service to work with, consider everything you are getting and what you are getting in return for your investment. You should expect more than just shredded documents – you should get a trustworthy partner to handle your most sensitive information in whatever form.
- NAID Certified: The National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) establishes strict standards for shredding services. Certification supports a secure chain of custody, from pickup through disposal, and provides proof of service for your records.
- Expertise in physical security: With over 30 years of experience, Shred-it® has helped businesses protect confidential information with industry-leading expertise.
- Service reliability: Shred-it® operates one of the largest footprints in North America, serving businesses throughout the United States and Canada. This extensive network minimizes services disruptions and ensures flexibility for companies with unexpected document destruction needs.
- Customizable solutions: Shred-it® offers a wide range of reliable data destruction services tailored to meet the specific needs of your organization.
- Employee training and tools: Shred-it® provides policy templates, interactive training programs, and resources that are customizable and accessible. These tools can help you educate your employees on data protection best practices, regardless of size.
Help protect your organization’s data and bottom line with secure document and hard drive destruction services that can be tailored to meet your needs. Learn more.
*Contact Shred-it® for service availability in your area.
**This article is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances.