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Shredding your sensitive files is essential to protecting your data. A shredding service can help to eliminate worry and get rid of sensitive documents fast; however, not all services are the same. But, how do you know which service is the best fit?
This article compares drop off shredding services and mobile document shredding services to help you understand which service best meets your needs. We include information regarding the volume of documents you have, what your security requirements are, and how much you are willing to pay. Watch the video or read the transcript below to learn more.
Video Transcript
Finding the Best Bang for Your Buck
There are several different ways to shred, and finding the most cost-efficient option depends on your individual project needs and goals.
For example, if you’re someone who constantly has documents to shred, saving up paper for a mobile shredding solution can be a good option for you to not only save money, but also to save the time shredding can take.
If you don’t expect to have 100 pounds of paper anytime soon, taking your documents to a nearby drop off shredding location may be a better and cheaper strategy.
Drop Off Shredding Versus Mobile Shredding
Drop Off Shredding
Drop off (walk-in) is ideal for shredding projects under 100 lbs. Typically, drop off shredding locations can take up to three bankers boxes worth of paper and charge by the pound.
Mobile Shredding
Mobile shredding is geared for larger shredding projects. The average cost for a mobile service is around $120, and this type of service is best for projects between 100-300 lbs.
Drop Off vs Mobile Advantages
| Drop Off Advantages | Mobile Advantages |
| There’s always a drop off location nearby with over 6,000 locations in UPS and other packaging stores throughout the US | Mobile conveniently comes to you—instead of taking papers in or shredding yourself, shredding trucks can come to save you time |
| No scheduling is required—like the names implies, you can drop in on your schedule, and it’s fast enough to be only a 5 minute stop | You witness shredding when it’s done onsite—whether for legal needs or personal assurance, mobile shredding is the most secure option |
| You pay only for what you shred rather than flat pricing—when you don’t have too much to shred, you won’t be paying much either | Costs don’t scale with the size of the shredding project—from 1lb up to 300 lbs, the price remains the same |
| Drop off prioritizes security—while you don’t see the actual shredding, you drop off your papers in locked shred bins | Mobile shredding’s securities make it ideal for negotiable instruments like blank checks, certificates, and promissory notes |
Calculating Paper Quantity
| Type of Container | Container Size | Amount of Paper |
| File Cabinets | Vertical File Cabinet 24” Drawer | 1 box (30 lbs) per drawer |
| Horizontal File Cabinet 30” Drawer | 2 boxes (60 lbs) per drawer | |
| Bags | Black Plastic Yard/Leaf Bag | 1 box (30 lbs) |
| Tall White Kitchen Bag | 1 box (30 lbs) | |
| File Boxes | Letter/Legal Box (15” x 12” x 10”) | 30 lbs |
| Large Letter Box (24” x 12” x 10”) | 60 lbs | |
| Large Legal Box (24” x 15” x 10”) | 90 lbs | |
| Pallets | 4 Rows High (4 ft) | 50 boxes (1,500 lbs) |
| 5 Rows High (5 ft) | 60 boxes (1,800 lbs) | |
| 6 Rows High (6 ft) | 72 boxes (2,160 lbs) | |
| Bins | 64 Gallon Bin | 7 boxes (210 lbs) |
| 95 Gallon Bin | 10 boxes (300 lbs) |
The Cheapest Option: Finding the Intersection
The crossroads between scaling price of drop off to match paper weight becomes a disadvantage. Drop off shredding prices continue to rise as quantity goes up; however, mobile services are a flat rate. If you have more than 100 lbs, mobile shredding may become a cheaper option to pursue.
At a certain point, drop off shredding and mobile shredding options becomes more clear on which option will be better long-term. This factor is usually cost and how many pounds you have to shred. It’s important to look at the amount of shredding that you have and then you can decide which option is the most cost-efficient.
Ready to Get Started?
Have you decided on the best solution for your project? We partner with trusted document destruction providers across the nation, and work hard to help you find the right solution for your shredding needs.
Find nearby drop off shredding locations with our store locator, fill out the form on the right for free quotes on mobile shredding services in your area, or give us a call at (800) 747-3365.
