SHREDDING, THE WAY FORWARD

Managing Director Terry Prickett shares his Inside Story on how document destruction company Hungry Shredder offers the ‘X-factor’ to businesses looking for environmentallyfriendly secure document disposal.

What is Hungry Shredder all about and who is the person behind the business?

Hungry Shredder is a document destruction company that specialises in confidential shredding services designed for individuals and small local businesses. The company offers a secure, eco-friendly solution and easy-to-use options. We provide shredding sacks that customers fill with documents, which are then collected for destruction. Hungry Shredder aims to protect sensitive information from identity theft and data breaches, ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR for businesses handling customer data. After each shredding service, clients receive a Certificate of Destruction for added peace of mind.

The company was created to provide a more effective solution than home shredders which can’t handle large volumes of paperwork reliably, offering a straightforward, click-andcollect shredding solution that can handle a wide range of materials, from basic paper to more cumbersome items like box files and booklets.

The company has achieved compliance standards and certifications to ensure secure and environmentally responsible document destruction services. Certified under ISO 9001, which establishes quality management standards, and ISO 14001, which emphasises environmental management.

Terry Prickett is Managing Director and the person behind Hungry Shredder having held this position since November 2019. His background includes roles in other companies within similar sectors, reinforcing his focus on secure and compliant shredding solutions for both personal and business needs.

What does a typical day at Hungry Shredder look like?

A typical day at Hungry Shredder involves managing secure document collection and destruction processes. The team coordinates pickups, collects filled shredding sacks from clients, and transports them to their secure facility for off-site shredding.

Once at the facility, documents are shredded in compliance with data protection laws. The day includes maintaining the chain of custody for sensitive materials, providing certificates of destruction to clients, and managing customer service enquiries. The focus remains on efficiency and confidentiality, ensuring clients' sensitive documents are safely and responsibly destroyed.

What gives Hungry Shredder the X factor?

Hungry Shredder’s unique appeal, or "X-factor," lies in its affordable, secure, and accessible shredding services. The company distinguishes itself with an easy processoffering shredding sacks that customers fill at their convenience, which are then collected and securely shredded. This service caters to both individuals and small businesses, providing a hassle-free solution for handling sensitive documents that need secure disposal.

Another factor is the compliance with data protection laws like GDPR, which makes it particularly appealing to businesses that require trustworthy data destruction to protect their clients’ information. Unlike many competitors that may focus solely on large-scale shredding, Hungry Shredder accommodates smaller jobs, offering a valuable option for people with modest shredding needs.

Furthermore, the company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices, including recycling shredded materials, adds to its appeal for environmentally conscious clients. The combination of convenience, security and environmental responsibility sets Hungry Shredder apart in its shredding services.

What advice would Hungry Shredder give to Chamber members to shred securely?

Hungry Shredder offers several key pieces of advice to ensure secure shredding and prevent data breaches:

1. Use a certified shredding service: Professional shredding services like Hungry Shredder, which comply with standards like GDPR, ISO certifications, and Waste Carrier Licenses, are designed to handle sensitive documents securely. They provide peace of mind by maintaining a strict chain of custody and issuing certificates of destruction for compliance verification.

2. Shred regularly: Accumulating sensitive documents can increase the risk of data theft. Regular shredding intervals prevent a build-up of sensitive material and ensure that data is destroyed promptly, reducing exposure to security risks.

3. Confidential or non-confidential waste?

As a rule, it’s best to treat all material as confidential as mistakes can be made when trying to identify which documents need shredding and which can be disposed of as general waste. Materials with sensitive data like client details, financial information and personal records should always be shredded.

4. Use secure shredding bags: To prevent data leakage, use secure shredding bags that are tamper-resistant and ensure that documents remain safe before they reach the shredding facility. Ideally, they should be self-sealing and barcoded.

5. Environmentally friendly disposal: Partner with shredding services that recycle shredded material, which contributes to environmental responsibility and reduces landfill waste. Most paper should be recycled to low-grade paper or tissues.

6. Request a Certificate of Destruction: This certificate serves as proof that your documents were securely destroyed, supporting compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

By following these practices, businesses and individuals can enhance document security and protect against identity theft and data breaches.

What is the impact of shredding on the environment?

Shredding documents largely has a positive environmental impact depending on how the shredded materials are managed:

1. Facilitates recycling: Shredding allows paper waste to be repurposed for recycling, reducing the demand for new paper production. Recycled paper uses less energy and water and generates fewer greenhouse gases than producing paper from virgin materials.

2. Reduces landfill waste: When shredded paper is recycled, it keeps waste out of landfills, helping to reduce methane emissions - a potent greenhouse gas generated by decomposing organic matter in landfills.

3. Promotes eco-friendly disposal: Many secure shredding companies, like Hungry Shredder, prioritise sustainable disposal by converting shredded paper into recycled products, which aligns with green business practices and reduces deforestation.