Are there any other fees besides the quoted fee for service?

No, at Southland Shredding we do not believe in charging any add-on fees like fuel surcharges, container-lease fees, or out-of-service fees. The price you are quoted is the price you will pay.

Can we pick any day for service that we want?

No, we arrange our routes to be done as economically as possible, which means we service certain areas on certain days. Our Zip Code Locator will tell you what day we service your area.

What do you mean by 'standard file-size box,' and does our material have to be in boxes?

A standard file-size box measures 12″ x 16″ x 12″, similar to a copy paper box. No, your material does not have to be in boxes. It may be gathered in bags, boxes, plastic containers, laid out on tables, or it may still be in file cabinets.

Do you make appointments?

No, we schedule jobs for certain days in certain cities according to our routes, and we will give you a two-hour window of time so you are not waiting for us all day. With traffic the way it is, we may run ahead or behind; but we will certainly try our best to be within two hours of the scheduled time.

Do you have a minimum charge?

$100 for up to fourteen (14) boxes or two 64-gallon containers worth of material. A job this size will take no more than fifteen minutes of your time. If you have recently done any shredding with a personal shredder, you realize what a deal this is.

Is it ok to leave on fasteners?

Yes, our machinery will tear up all fasteners so there is no need to remove them. During the recycle process, all metal is removed through magnetization and screening.

Are there materials you don't shred?

We don’t shred X-rays or plastic media on-site; but all this material can be shredded off-site.

Why don't you take the cardboard boxes?

Although cardboard is recyclable, the fiber content is different than that of paper; therefore, these materials cannot be mixed and remain recyclable. So, unfortunately, we cannot shred your cardboard box as we do recycle all paper. Mobile shred trucks are not built with storage capacity; thus, we are not able to haul off boxes.

Are you NAID (National Association for Information Destruction) certified?

Yes we are NAID AAA Certified for both on-site and drop off document destruction.

Why do you not publish a price list?

There are too many variables that may affect the price for any given job. Your location and quantity of material are factors in determining our fee. Speak to one of our customer service representatives for pricing information. A relatively accurate box count is required for all quotes.

Do your personnel physically touch our material to be shredded?

No, but they are constantly viewing the material to be sure there are no contaminants going into the shredder. We have found corporate stamps, staplers, pens, and other items that do not need to be shredded and will remove them before they go into the shredder.

Shredding Blog

Navigating The Regulatory Landscape For Document Destruction

Businesses today face mounting pressure to safeguard critical data and information from fraud threats. However, unfortunately, many organizations lack the protocols to ensure compliance with relevant regulations regarding document destruction. Shredding plays a crucial role in meeting these regulatory standards, yet navigating this process can be complex. In this blog post, we’ll explore the critical intersection of compliance and document shredding.

Overview Of Document Destruction Regulations

Proper document destruction is essential to protecting sensitive information for many industries, especially those governed by HIPAA, FACTA, and GLBA regulations. These regulations mandate that businesses protect the confidential information of customers and employees by implementing secure document destruction practices.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law in the United States enacted in 1996. HIPAA ensures that individuals’ health information is protected while providing a standardized method for healthcare providers to exchange health information electronically. The law has specific rules and procedures for maintaining the privacy and security of personally identifiable information and establishes numerous rights for individuals concerning their health information. Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in significant fines and penalties for organizations.

FACTA

The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) is a federal law protecting consumer financial information. FACTA requires businesses to implement reasonable measures to protect sensitive data from being accessed, stolen, or misused by unauthorized individuals. The legislation includes provisions for secure disposal of consumer information and penalties for non-compliance.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act And SOX

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, applies mainly to financial institutions. These institutions must explain their information-sharing practices to their customers and safeguard sensitive data. Hence, proper document destruction is a crucial aspect of GLBA compliance.

On the other hand, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) of 2002 applies to all public companies. It was enacted to improve the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures in the wake of high-profile business scandals. SOX imposes several internal control requirements on businesses, including safeguarding assets that can impact financial reporting. This includes digital and physical data, thus making document destruction a critical part of SOX compliance.

These regulations apply to paper documents, digital data, and any other mediums containing sensitive information.

Understanding Compliance In Shredding

Compliance in shredding can be complex and may require understanding various rules, regulations, and laws.

Know The Legal Frameworks

Different industries and regions have specific regulations that dictate how sensitive information should be handled and disposed of. Understanding the legal frameworks, such as SOX, HIPAA, GLBA, or industry-specific guidelines, is fundamental to compliance.

Data Privacy

Compliance often revolves around protecting individuals’ privacy. Shredding documents containing personal information is a proactive measure to ensure compliance with privacy regulations.

Data Security

Proper shredding also plays a crucial role in data security. Ensuring that sensitive information is destroyed before it falls into the wrong hands helps prevent data breaches and fraud.

Document Retention Policies

Developing and implementing clear document retention policies is a foundational step. Knowing what documents to keep and for how long helps streamline shredding processes while staying compliant.

Regular Audits And Assessments

Conducting regular audits of document management and shredding processes helps identify areas for improvement and ensures ongoing compliance.

Employee Training

Employees should be well-versed in compliance requirements and the proper procedures for document shredding. Regular training sessions help maintain a culture of compliance within the organization.

Secure Shredding Methods

Choosing the right shredding services provider is critical to ensuring compliance. Look for providers with secure facilities, trained personnel, and a chain of custody process that can be audited.

Different Document Shredding Services

Various document shredding services are available so you can find the right fit for your business. Here are a few options to consider:

On-Site Shredding

On-site shredding involves a secure shredding truck coming to your location and destroying documents on-site. This option provides added security as you can witness the shredding process firsthand.

Drop off Shredding

Drop-off shredding involves taking your documents to a secure facility for destruction. This option is ideal for small amounts of paper and may offer cost savings compared to on-site shredding.

Scheduled Shredding Services

Scheduled shredding services involve the regular pickup and destruction of documents from your location. This option offers convenience and ensures ongoing compliance with document retention policies.

One-Time Purge Shredding

For organizations with a large amount of backlog or one-time shredding needs, one-time purge shredding services can help properly dispose of a large volume of documents at once.

Residential Shredding

Individuals also have a responsibility to comply with document destruction regulations, especially when it comes to personal information. Residential shredding services offer a convenient and secure way for individuals to dispose of sensitive documents. This can include personal financial records, medical records, or any other documents containing personal identifying information.

Document destruction is essential for protecting and safeguarding your company’s sensitive information and staying compliant with emerging regulations. Organizations of all sizes should ensure that they have a secure document destruction plan in place, including implementing the right methods for disposing of documents, utilizing an experienced service provider, and maintaining chain-of-custody records to substantiate their compliance. With Southland Shredding’s reliable and efficient shredding services, you can be confident that your organization meets all necessary compliance requirements. Contact us today to learn more about our secure document destruction solutions.

Southland Shredding is NAID AAA Certified

i-SIGMA is the standards-setting body for the information destruction industry. NAID AAA Certification verifies the qualifications of certified information destruction providers through a comprehensive scheduled and unannounced audit program.

Service is the Difference