Document shredding, specifically cross-shredding, is the most efficient, complete, secure, and economical method of destruction for paper records. When you no longer need to store records and the records contain confidential, secure, or private information, investing in document shredding services will ensure they are completely destroyed in accordance with state and federal regulations. At Citizens Business Archives, we offer secure shred bin deliveries to your building. You can collect documents in these bins until they are ready to shred. At that point, we will pick them up, transport them to our secure facility, and cross-shred them. We will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction to confirm they were completely destroyed. But what happens to all of the shredded material at this point? It is recycled! Keep reading to find out more about this process.
Compression Into Bales
The first step in recycling shredded paper is to compress it into bales. We use specialized equipment called a baler to grab thousands of pieces of shredded paper at once and then compress them into rectangular bales, like hay bales. They are secured with plastic ties and taken to a local paper mill to be recycled.
Bales Are Mixed With Water and Filtered
At the recycling facility, the bales of shredded paper are mixed with water. This creates a pulp that is easier to break down and manage. The pulp is then forced through a special screen so that glue, dirt, plastic, and other contaminants are filtered out. The paper pulp is then put into specialized vats. The vats spin very quickly so that debris falls to the bottom and can be removed.
All Ink Is Removed
Next, a special process is used to remove all of the ink from the paper. The paper pulp is put into a vat or tub containing a chemical solution. A jet stream creates air bubbles, which attract the ink molecules. The ink sticks to the air bubbles, the air bubbles rise to the top, and they are then skimmed off. When all ink and color particles are removed from the pulp, it is bleached to turn it white.
The Drying Process Begins
The paper pulp is spread across large wire screens. This allows the pulp to drain and dry out. It is then further dried by being passed through heated rollers, which also flatten and compress the pulp so it is a more uniform size and appearance.
The Paper Is Embossed and Spooled
The flattened paper pulp is run through a machine called an embosser. Embossing the paper makes it even flatter, and also increases its absorbency. Specialized machines then spool the paper around tubes of cardboard. This creates the rolls that are used in the center of paper towel and toilet paper rolls.
Can All Shredded Paper Be Recycled?
No, not necessarily. Some document shredding methods create paper strips or fibers that are too weak to be recycled. Very small fibers can jam up the paper recycling machinery or can be blown away, which creates litter. If paper is too fine or thin to be recycled, it can be used for composting. Paper that is coated in wax, plastic, or foil cannot be recycled. Likewise, paper that has food stains or paint cannot be recycled.
Types of Print and Paper Waste That Can Be Recycled
Not all print waste and paper waste can be recycled. Most recycling facilities can handle specific types of waste and ensure they are turned into another product that will have life outside of its intended purpose. The most common types of print waste that can be recycled are:
- Labels
- Packaging materials
- Printer waste
- Printed materials
- Plain paper
- Brown parcel or packing paper
- Cardboard
- Catalogs
- Christmas cards (without glitter or foil)
- Envelopes
- Leaflets
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Copier paper
What Is Recycled Paper Turned Into?
It depends on the type and quality of the shredded paper. Shredded paper can’t be turned into high-quality paper products like printer paper. It can be turned into hygiene products like toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, and tissues. It can also be turned into:
- Cardboard
- Brown packing paper
- Holiday cards and wrapping paper
- Egg boxes
- Paper bags, plates, and food cartons
- Insulation
- Kitty litter
- Water bottles
Learn More About Our Document Shredding Services in Arizona
At Citizens Business Archives, we offer secure document shredding services throughout Southern Arizona. After shredding, we provide you with a Certificate of Destruction that confirms that your documents were destroyed according to state and federal regulations. We then provide shredded materials to a local paper mill for recycling. If you’re ready to learn more about our business records services, call us today at (520) 882-4434 or contact us online.
