Outsourcing vs. In-house Paper Shredding: Which Is Better?

by Smart Shred Protecting your Documents is Serious Business

Deciding between outsourcing and in-house paper shredding requires careful consideration to make the right decision. Both of these options are suitable for different types of needs. But what exactly can help you with your unique requirements is the key differentiator. So, here we explain the differences and the purpose of each service so you know the whats, hows, and whys before reaching a conclusion.

Outsourcing Paper Shredding Services

Outsourcing paper shredding refers to hiring an external service provider to destroy your confidential or sensitive documents. So, instead of managing the process internally, you entrust these tasks to a specialized shredding company. It offers several benefits to help you maintain the security and confidentiality of your sensitive information. But there are certain disadvantages to it as well. So, here is what you must know before outsourcing the shredding job to just anyone:

Pros

First things first, professional shredding service providers are experienced and certified in document destruction practices. They are well-versed in compliance requirements, ensuring your sensitive information is handled and destroyed appropriately.
Outsourcing your shredding needs allows you to focus on your core business competencies without allocating resources, time, and manpower to manage data destruction internally.
Outsourcing also eliminates the need for buying and maintaining your own shredding equipment and the costs associated with training employees in proper data destruction practices.

Cons

When you outsource your shredding tasks, you rely on the service provider to handle all your confidential documents. Hiring someone incompetent can jeopardize your data safety and business reputation.

There might be delays in shredding your documents, depending on the service provider's availability and schedule. It can drastically affect your document management timelines.

Shredding costs can vary significantly from one service provider to another, making it difficult to finalize the right company for your needs and budget.

In-house Paper Shredding

Now that you understand the specifics of outsourcing shredding, let us also talk about in-house practices. These refer to conducting document destruction within your premises with a DIY office shredder owned and operated by your company. So, you handle these shredding tasks internally rather than outsourcing to a third-party provider. Shredding paper in-house provides certain advantages to individuals and entities. However, there are some drawbacks as well. Here we briefly explain the same for you to be able to make informed decisions:

Pros

Shredding in-house gives you direct control over the process and ensures that all your confidential documents are destroyed right away.
In-house shredding may be more cost-effective, especially if you have larger loads to shred regularly.
It also reduces the risk of information leaks or mishandling as you oversee the entire process.

Cons

In-house shredding requires investment in equipment, periodic maintenance, and proper disposal of the shredded material.
You must also ensure your processes meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements, including training employees, implementing secure storage, and establishing disposal protocols.
Shredding documents internally also requires dedicated staff and resources to manage the process, which may reduce productivity and divert focus from other important tasks.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, you must assess your organization's specific requirements, the volume of documents to be shredded, compliance considerations, and available resources before deciding whether to outsource or shred in-house.

If you wish to hire professionals, look up "mobile shredding service near me" online, and you shall be able to find someone suitable and shred your unwanted documents right on-site. But if in-house shredding seems reasonable, get a heavy-duty shredder to get started.