The Benefits of Recurring vs. Purge Shredding

When it comes to document destruction, businesses often face the choice between purge shredding and recurring shredding. Understanding the benefits of each method can help you decide which is more advantageous for your specific needs.

Protection

• Purge Shredding: This method involves shredding a large volume of documents all at once, offering secure protection once your documents are shredded. However, any time your discarded documents sit around, they are at risk of being lost, stolen, or falling into the wrong hands.
• Recurring Shredding: By regularly and consistently disposing of your documents, recurring shredding significantly enhances security. The idle time of documents is minimized, reducing the risk of data breaches. Moreover, a professional shredding company providing recurring shredding will supply locked shred collection containers, ensuring that discarded information remains protected from the moment of disposal until destruction on-site in a mobile shredding truck.

Convenience

• Purge Shredding: This method is convenient for performing a comprehensive cleanout of redundant, outdated, and other unnecessary files, allowing them to be shredded immediately. As long as the purging and shredding occur within the same timeframe, the risk of a security breach remains low.
• Recurring Shredding: This method offers similar convenience by allowing cleanout days to be combined with regular document pick-ups. Additional documents can be easily added to the scheduled pick-up, ensuring they are shredded without hassle.

Retention

• Purge Shredding: Often necessary when files back up, a thorough purge helps remove redundant files and ensure that information past its retention dates is destroyed. However, if documents are not destroyed until a purge is conducted, they might surpass their lifespan, potentially making your business noncompliant with state and federal privacy laws.
• Recurring Shredding: This method provides ongoing opportunities to regularly pull outdated files from service and destroy them in compliance with privacy laws, maintaining continuous compliance and reducing legal risks.

Scheduling

• Purge Shredding: While you can schedule purge shredding at your convenience, it requires someone to initiate and organize the process. When your primary focus is on your business, distractions such as overflowing containers, desks, or file cabinets might prompt the need for a purge.
• Recurring Shredding: This method eliminates the need for anyone to notice when documents need shredding or to make a booking. It operates automatically on a regular basis. Simply continue running your business and discard sensitive documents into the provided shred collection containers. On the designated day, a certified shredding technician will collect the bin, deposit your documents directly into the secure truck shredder, and replace the bin.

Proof of Destruction

Regardless of whether you choose purge shredding or recurring shredding, it is crucial to ensure you receive a Document of Destruction upon completion. This certificate serves as proof that your documents have been securely shredded in compliance with all privacy laws.

At ShredPro Secure, we offer on-site shredding services for both purge and recurring shredding. We provide a Certificate of Destruction with every shredding job, whether it’s a one-time shred or a regular service. If you’re ready to transition from purge shredding to recurring shredding, call us at 865-986-5444 or complete the form on this page.