Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What areas do you provide document destruction services to?
A: We provide secure document destruction services for MD, NC, DC, and Va. Also see our Shredding Service Territories page.
Q: What industries do you serve?
A: Shred Instead serves small, large, and mid sized businesses and organizations as well as government clients who have needs to destroy confidential documents in a safe and secure manner. This includes professional services, such as lawyers, doctors, CPAs, recruiting offices, the finance industry, research industries, government contractors, government entities, and educational establishments.
Q: What is the average turnaround time for receiving an estimate?
A: We can provide you an estimate within 5 minutes. Just fill out our Quote Form and a Trained Customer Service Representative will contact you with more details – you can always call us!
Q: What is the average turnaround time for One Time Shredding?
A: Our certified technicians can be available within 2-3 days of inquiry.
Q: Do you offer Off-Site Document Destruction?
A. Yes, we prefer to destroy your confidential documents in your presence which is why we have developed a hands free shredding process; however if your organization, building constraints, or loading dock does not allow on-site shredding we will be happy to securely transport your materials to our warehouse for Certified Shredding Services.
Our Shredding Process
Q: Do I need to prepare my documents for destruction?
A: We do ask that you remove your documents from three-ring binders or plastic covers, however staples, binder and paper clips, wiring, and any other metal materials holding your paper together are allowed.
Q: What happens to the documents once they are destroyed?
A: 100% of the materials Shred Instead collects are recycled.
Q: Do you destroy documents other than paper?
A: Shred Instead’s trucks can destroy hard drives, CDs, tapes, DVDs, microfilm, cassette tapes, uniforms, badges, X-rays, and most any other material. Visit our Product Destruction Services section for our complete list.
Q: Is Scheduled Office Route Service necessary?
A: No, it is not necessary, but it remains a good policy. We offer daily, monthly, weekly, and bi-weekly service schedules that are designed to meet your needs. We find that most appreciate the level of security and peace of mind knowing that their documents have been destroyed.
Q: Since we have a paper shredder, why do we need to outsource paper shredding?
A: Most office shredders take time to feed, wasting valuable time that could be spent growing your business. Larger shredders require a larger capital investment, maintenance, and service calls. No matter the size, all office shredders share one basic problem – they eventually break. Using Shred Instead will combat all of these problems, proving your business more effective.
Q: Can customers watch the document destruction process?
A: Yes! All shredding trucks are equipped with on-site monitoring through cameras mounted in the document shredding and collection compartments in the trucks.
Billing
Q: How do you bill your customers?
A: All Scheduled Office Route customers will receive an electronic invoice (email), which also serves as the Certificate of Destruction. One Time Shredding customers pay at the time of service.
Q: What payment options are available for customers?
A: Shred Instead accepts cash, check, credit card, or invoice (for businesses).
Certificates & Regulations
Q: Do you offer a Certificate of Destruction?
A: Yes, our Certified Customer Service Technician will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction at the time of service.
Q: What regulations do you adhere to?
A: Shred Instead is AAA Certified by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) and adhere to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
Q: Why should my company shred documents?
A: You have a legal responsibility to keep confidential customer and employee information from falling into the wrong hands. Simply put, you cannot throw confidential documents away. Eliminating certain data within a certain time frame limits your liability in litigation and protects proprietary information from competitors.
