• Paper Clips, Staples, and Shredding: What You Need to Know

    Stack of documents with paper clips

    Many wonder whether they can still shred documents with staples or paperclips attached. Is removing these fasteners before slicing necessary to avoid damaging the machine?

    This helpful guide will discuss the compatibility of shredders with staples and paperclips, provide practical tips for paper shredder maintenance, and highlight the importance of professional shredding services.

    Can All Shredders Handle Staples and Paperclips?

    It’s important to understand that not all shredders are created equal. There are two main categories: compact home office shredders and commercial-grade shredders. The type of shredder you should choose depends on your specific shredding needs.

    Small Home and Office Shredders:

    Home office shredders will have some limitations regarding staples and paper clips and the potential damage they can cause to blades and feeder mechanisms. Therefore, it’s necessary to consult a user manual for your specific shredder to avoid accidental damage to your machine.

    Industrial and Commercial Shredders:

    Heavy-duty shredders, such as those found in professional shredding services, are designed to efficiently handle staples, paper clips, and binder clips. These industrial and commercial shredders provide numerous benefits, including adequate protection of sensitive information, enhanced durability, and a longer lifespan.

    Do You Have to Remove Staples Before Shredding?

    To address the age-old question, “Do you need to remove staples before shredding?” the answer is no if you use a public or commercial-grade shredding machine. These machines can easily crush staples and paper clips without any issues. Therefore, you can eliminate the hassle of removing staples when using a home shredder by either outsourcing to a professional shredding service or using an industrial shredder.

    How to Remove Staples from Paper Efficiently

    Using tools like a staple remover or pliers, you can efficiently remove staples from paper documents before shredding them. However, commercial shredders are ideal for removing staples, paper clips, and binder clips before shredding as they are designed to handle them.

    Why Use Professional Shredding Services?

    Professional document shredding services are ideal for businesses and individuals to dispose of paper documents safely. These services can efficiently handle staples, clips, and other materials without extra effort. They offer the convenience and security of outsourcing document destruction, reducing the need for internal equipment maintenance.

    Another way to efficiently shred your documents if you are in the Chicago area is to participate in the Midway Document Destruction’s free paper shredding events. Known as Shred-a-thons, these events occur in neighborhoods throughout Chicago and are sponsored in partnership with local government offices. They offer FREE paper shredding services to community members.

    The Convenience of Public Shredding Machines

    Public shredding machines and mobile shredding services offer a convenient and secure solution for document destruction. Public shredding machines are top-of-the-line for all shredding needs. They have the capacity to handle large volumes of paper and can shred multiple sheets at once, saving your staff time and energy.

    In addition to shredding large quantities of paper in seconds, professional shredding companies also destroy and shred staples and paperclips, so you never have to worry about them again.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Shredding Staples and Paper Clips

    Find answers to some of the most common questions about working with shredders.

    Can you put staples in a shredder?

    To avoid damaging the machine, get the user’s manual, and do so only on commercial, industrial-grade shredders.

    Do staples need to be removed before shredding?

    Staples can damage a home shredder’s blades, limiting its performance and integrity.  Therefore, it’s best to remove staples unless using public shredding machines.

    Can staples go through a shredder?

    Industrial or commercial shredders can easily handle staples and paper clips. 

    Get Professional Shredding Services with Midway Document Destruction

    Contact Midway Document Destruction for hassle-free, secure commercial shredding services to dispose of your documents quickly and easily. Call our team for a free quote and to learn more about our expertise in handling all types of documents. Say goodbye to clutter and protect your privacy with Midway Document Destruction!