Paper Shredding and Global Recycling Day are Perfect Partners
In the world of unexpected pairings, think David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing “Little Drummer Boy” in 1977 or Nike collaborating with Ben & Jerry’s to create the wildly popular Chunky Dunky shoe in 2020. These seemingly odd combinations often lead to remarkable success stories.
Similarly, the partnership between paper shredding and Global Recycling Day may raise eyebrows at first, but it turns out they are perfect partners in creating an effective and sustainable outcome.
Paper Shredding’s Compliance and Security Role
Paper shredding, initially designed to ensure legal compliance, plays a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information. Shredding documents renders them unreadable and impossible to reconstruct, protecting against illegal activities like identity theft. To ensure proper shredding in compliance with privacy laws, it’s essential to engage the services of a professional shredding company equipped with the knowledge and machinery to efficiently destroy large quantities of paper.
Global Recycling Day’s Call to Action
Established in 2018 and observed annually on March 18, Global Recycling Day encourages everyone to reassess their disposal habits. The focus is on being proactive about recycling, minimizing the use of non-recyclable materials, and choosing recycled products. The ultimate goal is to reduce landfill waste, decrease the consumption of raw materials, and protect the environment, including air, water, and the habitats of various species.
Why These Two Make Great Partners
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), paper constitutes over 40 percent of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) landfills. With US offices using a staggering 12.1 trillion sheets of paper annually, a significant portion ends up in landfills. Global Recycling Day aims to break this cycle by promoting paper recycling, mitigating the need to cut down more trees for new paper products.
The significance lies in these facts:
- Annually, 68 million trees are harvested for paper production.
- Producing one ton of new paper requires 380 gallons of oil.
- The depletion of forest trees affects biodiversity, contributes to climate change, and exacerbates droughts and fires.
Recycling paper not only conserves trees but also reduces the environmental impact associated with paper production.
DIY Recycling vs. Professional Shredding Company
While the intent to recycle is admirable, DIY shredding may not provide a compliant solution for protecting sensitive information. Moreover, most waste and recycling companies are ill-equipped to collect and recycle shredded material. Professional shredding companies, like Richards & Richards, not only ensure compliance with privacy laws but also collaborate with recycling facilities to repurpose 100% of shredded paper.
A Successful Partnership: Richards & Richards and Global Recycling Day
Richards & Richards, aligning with the principles of Global Recycling Day, serves as a bridge between compliant paper shredding and recycling initiatives. In the past 12 months alone, we kept a staggering 10.6 million pounds of shredded paper out of landfills. By partnering with our shredding and recycling services, you contribute to both data security and environmental sustainability.
Take the step towards a greener and more secure future. Partner with Richards & Richards today by calling us at 615-242-9600 or completing the form on this page.
