How do I choose the correct shredding machine?
The best choice involves first determining what category of machine you require for the home, office or department. Then, decide on your specific security requirements and the amounts and types of material you need to destroy.

What is Cross Cut?
Cross cut is when paper is shredded in two directions, into small confetti shaped pieces. By using a cross-cut shredding machine you benefit from:
- Higher security than strip cut cut
- The waste bin requires emptying less often

What is Strip Cut?
Paper is cut into long parallel strips like spaghetti by the shredding machine. Strip cutting shredding machines tend to be less expensive than cross-cutting shredding machines.

What is cutting capacity?
Cutting capacities are quoted as how many separate sheets of (79gsm) paper can be shredded in each single pass of the paper shredder
.
What does each security level mean?
There are different security levels a shredding machine can have. The higher the number, the more secure your information. S1 and S2 tend to be straight cut shredding machines, while S3 to S6 tend to be cross cut.

What is DIN standard?
The DIN standard is a European classification of security levels which states the size of the shreddings allowed, the smaller the particle, the higher the security level.

What is a duty cycle?
The duty cycle of a machine is the amount of time the machine will shred before the motor cuts out. If this happens, leave the machine to cool down and it will automatically reset itself. The higher specification of the machine, the longer the Duty Cycle.

The legalities of data destruction
The Data Protection Act requires printed information to be disposed of in a confidential manner. Documents require different treatment according to their sensitivity.

There are six security levels defined under DIN 32757. This European standard assists you in classifying your documents, and recommends a shred size appropriate to the various security levels.

Level 1, Strip Cut
General paperwork/old documentation
max strip width 12mm

Level 2, Strip Cut
Internal documentation/print outs and drafts
max strip width 6mm

Level 3, Strip Cut
Confidential or personal documents
max strip width 2mm

Level 3, Cross Cut
Confidential or personal documents
max cut size 4x80mm

Level 4, Cross Cut
Critical business information
max cut 2x15mm

Level 5, Cross Cut
Top secret or classified
max cut size 0.8x12mm

Level 6, Cross Cut
Ultra secure as specified by Pentagon
max cut size 0.8x5mm