Guide: How to Prepare for Your First Mobile Shredding Pickup
Scheduling your first mobile shredding service is a big step toward securing your business’s sensitive information. Whether you’re clearing out old financial files, healthcare records, or confidential employee documents, a little preparation can make your shredding appointment seamless, efficient, and compliant.
At Papper Recycling & Shredding Specialist (PRSS), we’ve helped hundreds of businesses across Southern California maintain compliance and protect client data through secure, certified shredding solutions. Based on industry best practices, here’s everything you need to know to get ready for your first pickup.
1. Identify What Needs to Be Shredded
Before your scheduled pickup, take a few minutes to review your files and sort what needs to go. Common documents ready for shredding include:
Old financial statements
Employee records past retention periods
Client contracts or case files
Medical documents (if applicable)
Expired licenses or certifications
Any document containing personal, confidential, or account information
💡 Pro Tip: If a document contains a name, account number, address, or any personally identifiable information (PII), it’s safer to shred it than store it!
2. Remove Non-Shred Items
Our industrial shredders can handle staples, paper clips, and file fasteners without a problem. However, there are a few materials that should be removed beforehand:
Three-ring binders (plastic or metal rings)
Hardbound books
Trash, food waste, or other non-paper materials
Large metal objects (such as hanging file folder rods)
Keeping prohibited items out helps ensure a smooth and efficient shredding process
3. Secure Documents in Provided Bins or Boxes
Leading up to your service date:
Use the locked bins provided by Mobile Shred for daily document disposal, or
Pack your documents neatly in sturdy cardboard boxes if using your own containers.
Clearly labeling boxes (by department or location) can also help streamline pickup if you’re preparing multiple batches.
For best security, avoid leaving sensitive documents out in open areas before the shredding team arrives.
4. Prepare for Easy Access
On the day of your service:
Place shredding bins or boxes in an easily accessible location
Clear any obstacles along walkways or loading areas
If your building has restricted access, inform our team ahead of time
Our uniformed, background-checked shredding specialists will handle your documents securely and professionally, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.
5. Know What to Expect on Shred Day
Here’s what you can expect from your shredding appointment:
A Mobile Shred truck arrives at your location at the scheduled time.
Our technicians securely collect your materials and immediately transport them to the mobile shredding unit.
Documents are shredded on-site—you can even witness the destruction if desired.
Once shredding is complete, you’ll receive a Certificate of Destruction for your compliance and audit records.
Our shredding services are fully compliant with NAID AAA certification standards and ensure a clear chain of custody from pickup to destruction.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, financial institution, law office, or corporate headquarters, we tailor our shredding programs to fit your compliance and workflow needs.
Final Checklist Before Your First Pickup
✅ Review and separate shredding materials
✅ Remove prohibited items (no binders or electronics)
✅ Secure documents in approved bins or boxes
✅ Set up easy access for our shredding team
✅ Confirm security access details with Mobile Shred if needed
Ready to Shred Securely?
Schedule your secure mobile shredding pickup today with Mobile Shred and experience how easy it is to protect your business from risk.
