Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions we are frequently asked regarding our secure shredding services, we hope that our answers will help provide you with the information you need, if not, feel free to get in touch and we'll do everything we can to help.
Do we need to remove staples / clips?
There is no need to remove staples or clips. Our shredder can deal with these items and they are then screened from the mixture before being composted.
Do we pay for sacks?
No. Provided you use them with us, there is no charge.
What choices of containers do I have?
We have a range of containers:
- unbleached paper sacks with a peel and seal top
- Woven plastic sacks with security ties
- 240 litre lockable wheelie bin (2 wheels)
- 660 litre lockable wheelie bin (4 wheels)
Is there a charge for the wheelie bins?
There is a weekly rental for our wheelie bins. The 240 ltr is just £0.50 per week. The 660 litre is £1.00 per week.
How little / how much can I send?
You can send as little or as much as you have. For smaller quantities (under 86 kilos in weight), there is a minimum charge of £30.
How long before the paper is shredded?
All documents are shredded within hours of collection, usually within the same day. 24 hours is the maximum length of time before all documents are shredded.
Is the service secure?
Yes, security of your data is our priority. Once your documents are in the care of Enviroshred, no unauthorised personnel have access to any of the waste. It is shredded to a pulp within hours of collection.
Can you take our own sacks / boxes?
Yes, we are happy to take your documents however they are packaged. We like any bags/boxes used to be sufficiently strong enough to hold the weight of the documents within them, ensuring security whilst moving them from office to van and then to the shredder.
Can we send other materials for destruction, ie CDs, Floppy discs?
We are happy to take quantities of CDs, credit cards, floppy discs, x-rays etc. All we ask is that they are packaged separately from the paper as these will be destroyed and dealt with separate to the paper.
Do you tell us the weight of the waste?
We weigh the documents we collect from you once it arrives back at our base and a certificate of destruction is produced and issued with the invoice. This clearly outlines the exact weight of what we collected from you.
How do you charge?
We charge by weight. We have a minimum charge of £30 for small collections (this is roughly collections of 8 bags or less).
How much paper can you get into a sacks?
One of our paper sacks can contain around 8 – 10 kilos although if packed very well it can contain a lot more.
Is your service cheaper than us doing it ourselves?
We believe that if you take into account the purchase of a good office shredder, the manpower to shred, and the cost of the orange plastic sacks to dispose of it securely, it is cheaper for Enviroshred to take your waste than you doing it yourself.
How does the data protection act affect us?
If you hold personal data rating to individuals then you have a responsibility to comply with the Data Protection Act. Personal data can be as little as a name and address. There are a number of criminal offences created by the Data Protection act. One requirement is for companies to destroy personal data securely. For more information relating to data protection go to www.ico.gov.uk.
What grade do you shred to?
We shred to a grade beyond that required by law for accountants, solicitors etc.
We only require a one off collection – will you do this?
Yes. We are happy to collect once in a lifetime or once a week.
We want a regular collection – can you do that?
We can make regular collections or infrequent collections, as and when you need us.
Can you provide manpower to help sort our waste?
If we are given adequate notice we can provide manpower to help sort your waste, with your guidance.
Can you take glossy paper?
Yes, glossy paper is fine.
Do you issue a free certificate of destruction with every load?
We do issue a free certificate of destruction with every collection we make from you.
Are there special rates for large quantities?
We can negotiate special rates for large quantities. If there is uncertainly on the weight, we like to visit to assess the weight involved.
Are you registered waste carriers with the Environment Agency?
Yes we are registered waste carriers with the Environment Agency. Our registered number is EAN/950296
Can I buy the compost?
Yes. The compost is now available at local retailers. To find out your local stockists, please email Wychmoor@tiscali.co.uk
What is the compost used for?
The compost is multipurpose compost and so can be used for all manner of horticultural purposes. It contains worm cast which is a rich source of natural fertilisers. It is also peat free so less harmful to the environment.
Do worms like paper?
When is it mixed with manure they are more than happy to eat it.