Most people know that shredding documents protects against identity theft and keeps your business compliant—but what happens after your paper is shredded? At First Coast Shredding, secure destruction is just the beginning. Your shredded documents don’t go to waste—they go on a journey of transformation.

Let’s take a look behind the scenes at what happens once your documents have been safely destroyed, and how you’re helping the environment every step of the way.

Step 1: Secure On-Site Shredding

It all starts with security. Whether it’s a one-time purge or a recurring monthly pickup, our mobile shredding truck arrives at your location and destroys your documents on the spot. You can even witness the shredding process yourself for total peace of mind.

Once your documents are shredded into tiny, unreadable pieces, they’re collected in a secure compartment inside our truck. From there, the eco-friendly journey begins.

Step 2: Transport to a Recycling Facility

After shredding, we deliver the shredded paper to a certified paper recycling facility. These facilities are equipped to handle mixed and finely shredded materials, sorting out any contaminants and preparing the paper for repurposing.

Step 3: Pulping and Processing

At the recycling plant, the shredded paper is mixed with water and turned into a pulp. This process breaks the paper down into fibers. Any ink, adhesives, or leftover staples are filtered out during this stage.

Once cleaned, the pulp is pressed, dried, and formed into large rolls of recycled paper—ready to be used again in the manufacturing of everything from paper towels to new office paper.

Step 4: Rebirth as Recycled Products

The paper you shredded may come back into the world as:

  • Office paper
  • Tissue and paper towels
  • Cardboard packaging
  • Newspaper or magazine print

By choosing secure shredding and recycling, you’re helping reduce the need for virgin paper production, conserve water and energy, and prevent waste from ending up in landfills.

Environmental Impact You Can Feel Good About

Recycling one ton of paper:

  • Saves 17 trees
  • Conserves 7,000 gallons of water
  • Prevents 3 cubic yards of landfill waste
  • Reduces energy use by over 60%

Multiply that by the amount of paper your office shreds in a year, and the environmental impact becomes significant.

Why It Matters

Security and sustainability don’t have to be separate goals. With First Coast Shredding, you get both. Your confidential documents are destroyed securely and responsibly—giving you peace of mind while protecting the planet.

Ready to Shred the Right Way?

When you choose First Coast Shredding, you’re not just protecting information—you’re contributing to a cleaner, greener future. Contact us today to schedule secure shredding with an eco-friendly impact.