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Paper shredder?

hank
edited October 5 in Off-Topic
Never used one. But it bugs me that every time I drop off recyclables at the public site there’s someone there with a long stick poking through what folks have tossed in the large trash bins. Met an old acquaintance doing this one time. He explained to me that some folks toss refundable (pop / beer) containers away and that he’d been helping support his niece’s college education grubbing up returnables and cashing them in. Waste from a small home office is one of the things I dump there. Growing more concerned. Could also worry about trash at curbside for the area commercial service. Somehow that doesn’t worry me as much as actually seeing people poking through other peoples’ rubble.

All I need is one more piece of heavy equipment in my office space, already crowded with desk, file cabinets, electronic / internet gear, a printer, storage cabinet and bookcases. Hate to give up any space. But guess it would be smart to get one and start shredding. My brokerage is online only. And my bank too. But there are things pertaining to travel (plane tickets, hotel reservations, rental car paperwork) that do get tossed - along with shopping receipts, auto service records, some medical records, insurance and tax-related stuff. Shredders are not expensive. $100 at Amazon for a decent (cheaper) unit. Do you use one? Thoughts?

Comments

  • Observant1
    edited October 5
    For many years I've used (and abused) a paper shredder¹ to destroy sensitive documents.
    I would select a cross-cut shredder rated for Security Level P-4 or P-5² to use at home.
    The Aurora AU1210MA Paper Shredder received high ratings on Consumer Reports —
    and a few other sites — when I researched paper shredders earlier this year.
    This product is currently selling for $133.50 on Amazon³.


    ¹ https://www.fellowes.com/us/en/catalog/details/US-3103201
    ² https://www.recycling.com/paper-shredder-security-levels-din-66399/
    ³ https://www.amazon.com/Aurora-AU1210MA-Professional-Micro-Cut-Continuous/dp/B07CX4DZ4Z?th=1
  • Old_JoeOld_Joe
    edited October 5
    Roger on that. Don't get the very cheap ones- they're inclined to choke up and burn out. As Observant1 suggested, the Aurora AU1210MA at Amazon should be a good choice.

    We got our unit at Costco, but that was some years ago. If you use Costco take a look the next time that you're there. Any unit that they sell should be OK too... Costco doesn't do junk.
  • Mona
    @hank, approximately 4 months ago, we purchased this Royal 14MC-89736 Paper Shredder at Costco.

    https://www.costco.com/royal-14-sheet-micro-cut-paper-shredder.product.4000174618.html

    The things that we like about it are:

    *It shreds a bunch of sheets at one time
    *It shreds a credit card
    *It micro shreds
    *It is quiet
    *If we have problems with it in the next x months, Costco will take it back with no questions asked

    We follow Wirecutter and they highly recommend this shredder, as well as the AuroraAU120MA

    https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-paper-shredders/

  • gman57
    Used to use a shredder but stopped about 15 years ago. I just rip stuff in half and throw it in recycling. Never had a problem. I think freezing your credit report accounts at the 3 reporting agencies is far more important than using a shredder.
  • Sven
    We greatly reduced paper forms and statements when we switched to online payments awhile back. Everything is downloaded and saved on multiple drives. It is much easier to tame the paper tiger.

    We own a shredder from Costco for the past 10 years. Cleaning the path and oil the cutting blades make it lasts.
  • hank
    edited October 7
    Interesting. I had the impression a shredder mostly replaced a standard waste basket and one pitched 100% of office waste into it. Apparently, for reasons I’m not certain of, there is a need to sort through and shred only “sensitive” documents. I’d guess that would probably be less than 10% of my office waste. Still, it raises interesting questions. Is a credit card receipt for auto repair deemed “sensitive”? I’d guess not since usually only the last 4 digits of the card number appear. A print-out of upcoming air travel showing flight numbers, cities visited, departure times, etc? Often I’ll trash a few until I get a good clean copy that fits on a single page. Doubtful harm could be done by someone salvaging that paperwork in advance of travel. Yet, is it information I wish to share with others? A receipt from Walmart containing quantities of alcoholic beverages and some medical supplies? “Sensitive” or not? In whose hands? For what purpose? Bank statements, tax records and the like are no-brainers. But not everything is.

    It might make more sense just to sort-out the 10% or less deemed sensitive and from time to time incinerate all on a red hot brush pile. I burn about 6 times a year (always with a proper permit). There’s also a fireplace. Grateful for all the replies. Yes, I love Costco and the recommended device sounds fine. Still thinking of whether or not I need one.
  • Old_JoeOld_Joe
    You might not really need one. But if you do, there's some very good advice up above here.
  • hank
    Old_Joe said:

    You might not really need one. But if you do, there's some very good advice up above here.

    +1 / A very helpful thread. Will give all this some thought.

  • Mona
    @hank, a thought. If you go to Costco every few months or more frequently, buy the Royal 14MC-89736 Paper Shredder for $80. There might be a 90 day time period for shredders. If it does not meet your needs/usage/expectations, return it. This is not abusing Costco's return policy as they want their members to be 100% satisfied with all purchases.
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