The cost to shred your documents will depend on a few key factors. These factors include the type of service you select, the volume of documents you need to shred, and the level of security required. While most residential customers won’t need to worry about the level of security aspect, it’s still something everyone should consider when preparing to have documents shredded. All of the document shredding services via Shred Nations are security-focused, but some industries may require higher levels of security due to federal or state regulations and laws.
The Cost of Shredding Documents by Service Type
Mobile Paper Shredding
The cost for mobile shredding varies depending on the area you are in, project size, and other critical factors. However, the average is between $130-$175 for a project of 1-10 boxes. You will receive a certificate of destruction when the process is complete. Please call us to get an accurate pricing quote on your unique project and specifications.
Mobile shredding services are designed for people who are willing to pay a little more for effortless, witnessed document destruction. You can schedule mobile services for any size project. However, if you need to witness the shredding for compliance reasons, it presents the best option.
Off-Site Paper Shredding
Because off-site shredding doesn’t require a mobile shred truck, you can expect a reduction in cost. The average is between $110-$130 for a project 1-10 boxes but can vary based on location, size, and other factors. However, the price tends to be lower than witnessed shredding. Please give us a call to get an accurate pricing quote on your unique project and specifications.
Off-site shredding services offer the convenience of mobile shredding with a lower price tag. A truck will come to your location to pick up your materials and transport them to an off-site facility to be shredded later. While you don’t get to see your materials destroyed, you’re provided a formal certificate of destruction once the job is completed.
Drop-Off Paper Shredding
Drop-off shredding is ideal for people who want an inexpensive, schedule-free alternative service. You go to drop off your boxes of paper to be shredded at a retail location rather than providers coming to you. The national average for drop-off shredding is around $1 to $1.50 per pound (depending on your area). Drop off does NOT come with a certificate of destruction. If this is something you need, we recommend using a mobile shredding or offsite shredding service.
Ship ‘N’ Shred
Similar to drop-off shredding, our Ship ‘N’ Shred services charge by the pound. The cost is approximately $30 for a 30 pound box of paper, but a bulk discount begins at $45 for a 65-pound box of paper. Ship ‘N’ Shred can be customized depending on whether you want to drop off your materials at a shipping location or schedule a FedEx truck to pick up your boxes from the comfort of your own home or office. With this service, you can get a certificate of destruction.
Hard Drive Shredding
On average, hard drive destruction costs anywhere from $7–$20 per hard drive depending on multiple variables. When the quantity of hard drives to be destroyed goes up, the price per drive will go down. These prices can also be subject to a minimum fee or trip charge, which will only grow the farther away your location is.
Please note that all of the prices listed vary based on your location, who you choose for your project and some of the factors listed below. Be sure to contact us or fill out our form to get an accurate price for your project. Hard drives also cannot be taken to a drop off. The destruction of these devices must be handled through a professional service.
Factors That Affect the Cost to Shred Your Documents
There are a number of factors that affect the cost of shredding documents. See the table below for some of the most common factors.
| Cost Factor | How It Impacts Cost |
| Document volume | The service that fits you best depends on how much you need to shred. As that number increases, it usually makes more sense to use a mobile or off-site shredding solution rather than bringing your documents to a drop-off location. Drop-off services charge by the pound, while mobile shredding and off-site shredding companies frequently have flat costs for their services. With hard drive shredding, the cost per hard drive decreases as the total number of hard drives increases. |
| Document containers | While the type of container itself won’t directly impact cost of shredding, it can make estimating the volume of documents easier. Banker boxes, for example, usually contain around 30 pounds of paper. |
| Shredding cadence | Costs for ongoing shredding services will likely cost more than a one-time purge for a large volume of documents. |
| Your location | Proximity to professional shredding companies located in your area also factors into the price of your project. Mobile and off-site shredding providers that come to you factor in the distance they have to travel into your quote. If you live on the outskirts of town, those services might cost more than if you’re in the heart of a metro area. |
| Special requirements | Any special shredding requirements you may have will likely affect the price of your project. For example, gathering bins from multiple locations or having the driver travel up a flight of stairs could increase the price. Be sure to provide any additional requirements with your quote request to make sure you get as accurate a quote as possible. |
Have More Questions on the Cost to Shred Your Documents?
If you have any more questions on the cost of your next shredding project, or simply would like to get a free, no-obligation quote, simply give Shred Nations a call at (800) 747-3365, fill out the form, or contact us directly using our live chat. In just minutes, you will receive free, customized quotes from local document shredding services.
