What Happens to Your Documents After Shredding? A Simple Look at the Process
People shred documents to keep private information safe. But once the paper is shredded, what happens next? If you are wondering about the same, you’ll find the answers here. The shredded paper goes through several steps: collection, preparation, recycling, and reuse.
Step 1: Shredding the Paper
The main goal of paper shredding in Sydney is to make your documents unreadable so others can’t misuse the information.
Home vs. Professional Shredding
The kind of shredder you use matters. Basic home shredders often cut paper into long strips. These strips might be put back together by someone determined enough. Home shredders also struggle with large piles of paper, thick sheets, staples, or paper clips.
Professional shredding services use stronger machines. These machines cut paper into very small pieces that can’t be reconstructed. They can also handle more paper at once, including heavier materials. If you’re looking for secure disposal, search document shredding near me online and choose reliable companies like Hello Shred for the best outcome.
Step 2: Collecting and Preparing the Shreds
Shredding companies collect the paper and compress it into large blocks using a machine called a baler. Each block can weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds.
This step keeps the shredded paper in one place and makes it easier to move to recycling centers. At home, shredded paper often ends up loose in the trash, where it’s hard to separate from other waste.
Step 3: Recycling the Paper into Pulp
Once baled, the shredded paper is sent to a paper mill or recycling plant.
Sorting and Cleaning
The first step removes anything that isn’t paper—like staples, tape, or bits of plastic. Workers and machines do this together.
Pulping
Next, the paper is mixed with water and sometimes a few chemicals in a big tank. This turns it into a mushy mixture called pulp.
Removing Ink and Refining the Pulp
The pulp still contains ink and glue. Recycling centers use special methods like floating or washing to clean it. The pulp is then refined to help the fibers stick together better, making stronger paper.
Adding Color or Whitening
Some pulp gets bleached with things like hydrogen peroxide to make white paper. Other times, color is added. Brown pulp, which isn’t bleached, is used for paper towels and similar products.
Step 4: Making New Paper
Once the pulp is clean, it’s spread onto screens to drain the water. Then, rollers press and dry it. The paper is rolled onto big spools and trimmed. Leftover bits are put back into the tank to become pulp again.
What Is Recycled Shredded Paper Used For?
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Tissues
Newspapers and magazines
Office paper
Greeting cards
Cardboard
Egg cartons
Packaging
Insulation
If Recycling Isn’t Possible
If your area doesn’t take shredded paper in curbside bins, there are still good uses for it:
Packing Material: Great for shipping or storing breakables.
Animal Bedding: Soft and absorbent—used for pets or donated to shelters.
Gardening and Composting: Works well as “brown” material in compost piles.
Fire Starters: Stuff it into empty toilet paper rolls or press into logs.
Crafts and Decorations: Use it to fill gift bags or baskets. Blend it to make homemade paper or clay.
DIY Potpourri: Add a few drops of essential oil and place in a small cloth bag.
Give It Away: Someone else might need it. Post a message on Freecycle or local Facebook groups.
A paper shredding service Sydney residents trust can help divert shredded material from landfills by offering recycling or repurposing options.
Why Professional Shredding Is a Smart Choice
Hiring a shredding service makes things easier and more secure.
Most companies recycle everything they collect.
This keeps shredded paper out of landfills.
The process is safe, fast, and better for large amounts of paper.
Businesses get proof of destruction, which helps with privacy laws like GDPR.
Home shredders often overheat, break down, and take too long.
A reliable document shredding Sydney company helps you stay compliant with local privacy rules while saving time.
The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Shredded Paper
Recycling paper helps the planet in many ways:
Saves trees and natural resources.
One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 380 gallons of oil.
Creates much less air and water pollution compared to making new paper.
Cuts down greenhouse gases.
Keeps paper out of landfills, where it would release methane as it rots.
Uses less energy than making paper from scratch.
Shredding your documents protects your privacy. Recycling them supports the planet. If you need a safe and eco-friendly way to dispose of sensitive documents, contact a Sydney document shredding service today.
