As a professional organizer, I am frequently asked by clients whether or not they need to shred paper that is being sent to the recycling bin.
In business, as in the residential setting, anything that identifies you and can be traced back to you via account number, address and the worst identifier – payment account number – must be shredded to protect your identity. You do not want this material wondering around once the the recycling material gets into the public domain i.e. out of your hands.
In addition, int he case of business, you must protect the identify of your clients. So, if your clients or their business with you, which, in most cases you are obliged to keep confidential, you must shred the material.
When in doubt, shred.
Archive for shredding
The best way to keep paper from accumulating is to keep it out of the house.
When you receive the mail, get into the habit of sorting and reading the loose material right over the recycling bin. That way you can throw the unnecessary fliers, brochures and promotional items along with all the envelopes right into the bin as you sort through them and open the mail. The pile of paper will immediately decrease in size and you are left with paper that really in which you are really interested.
