Micro-Cut Shredders

Micro-cut shredders protect confidentiality

Confidential, proprietary information is compromised in a growing number of businesses each year, some from nothing more than careless handling of sensitive documents. While cross-cut shredders allow you to meet standards of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA), a micro-cut paper shredder takes that security to the next level. A micro shredder cuts paper sheets into such tiny pieces, some as small as 0.11 x 0.37 inches, that it's impossible, in practical terms, to piece them together to recreate the original document. They also produce as much as 80 percent more paper per gallon than strip shredders, saving space while awaiting pick-up.

Choose your favorite micro-cut paper shredder brand

As well as standard strip-cut paper shredders, the following brands also supply micro-cut shredders:

• Quill Brand®
• Fellowes®
• Swingline®
• HSM of America®
• IDEAL
• GoECOlife
• GearHead™
• Staples®

Find micro-cut shredders with run times from 2 to 20 minutes. Choose a model with an automatic feed that lets users multitask as shredding progresses, along with forward and reverse features as well as anti-jam capabilities. Auto-stop features not only save energy, they offer added safety during use. Many models operate quietly, at as low as 60 to 72 decibels, for distraction-free operation. Some designs include removable wastebaskets that hold from 3.5 to 8 gallons of shredded paper; most also allow the use of bags for neat removal. You can select collection bins that include a window so employees can keep an eye on the waste level, avoiding overfills and spills. Energy management systems of some styles minimize energy consumption while the machine is in stand-by mode, making them practical and efficient. Many are built with a sleek and sophisticated appearance that blends with the rest of the office decor, and some have a small footprint that leaves plenty of space for other equipment and furniture.

A micro shredder handles multiple media

Much like heavy-duty paper shredders, the hardened steel cutting blades of select models of micro-cut paper shredders can handle as many as 100 sheets of paper at a time, while others shred 8 to 16 sheets per pass. The strong motors in these office machines allow them to cut through staples and paperclips. Some models zip through CDs, DVDs, and credit cards, so even electronic copies of sensitive documents can be permanently destroyed.