The paper lifecycle

When you shred documents with DSS you are contributing to an important lifecycle that not only provides secure destruction of your information, it also supplies the marketplace with low-grade paper goods such as paper towels, napkins, toilet paper and more. Let’s take a look at the lifecycle of your paper to better understand the importance of secure destruction and recycling.

1. Production

New paper is produced using wood pulp. When you think of paper paper production you may think most about trees and forests, but there are far more extensive costs in other resources. For instance, every ton of new paper produced requires the use of 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, and 4,100 kWhs of electricity.

2. Use

Whether it is copy paper, notepads, post-it notes, magazines or mail, paper documents find their way into every business. Most of the time, these are one-use products which are quickly disposed of. Sadly, this disposal sends the vast majority of paper to local landfills where each ton of paper waste takes up an additional 3.5 cubic yards of landfill space.

3. Secure Disposal

Businesses, government agencies, and individuals who are serious about security and confidentiality, know better than to just place documents in the garbage. Instead, they choose a secure destruction method. The most convenient option is on-going service with a certified shredding company. This method makes it simple and easy for businesses to separate paper waste from other trash. It also guarantees that your documents cannot be reconstructed.

4. Recycling

DSS responsibly recycles all the paper we shred. No matter what paper (office paper, receipts, memos, mail, etc.) you place in a DSS bin or bring to a DSS facility, it will all be responsibly recycled. The recycling process uses on average 31% less energy than new paper production. You have peace of mind that your documents were securely destroyed and also recycled into important consumer products. If you are interested in learning more about the paper recycling process, read our article HERE.