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
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
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.
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/
We own a shredder from Costco for the past 10 years. Cleaning the path and oil the cutting blades make it lasts.
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.