Like everyone that uses paper shredders there is always the question of what’s the best use for the waste the shredder creates. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

1. If you’ve got small pets like rabbits, mice or gerbils that need bedding then the waste from your paper shredder can make excellent bedding.
2. Add to your garden waste (compost it) and then use it on your vegetable plot.
3. Use it to stuff small toys or fabric dolls etc.
4. Its excellent for protecting delicate items when you store or post them – simply pack around the item in a larger outer box.
5. Finely chopped paper from a cross cut shredder can be used as an alternative form of cat litter.
6. Use it to create paper mache and in turn create your own 3-D creations.
7. Bag it an take it to your recycling centre.

Obviously this is not an exhaustive list but its hopefully enough to get your creative juices flowing about what you might do with the waste from your own personal or works paper shredder!

For many people the most important consideration will be the level of security the shredder offers. After all there is no point going to all the trouble of shredding your confidential documents if they are still insecure at the end of it! Cross cut models (these are sometimes also referred to as confetti cut shredders) provide a much more secure cut than strip cut shredders.

Paper that is put through a cross cut shredder is virtually impossible to put back together whereas paper that has gone through a strip cut shredder can be put back together surprisingly easily. There are even software programs available today that can “juggle” scanned pieces from a strip cut shredder and recreate a single page!

Cross cut paper shredders come in different “grades” (security levels) ranging from Level 1 through to Level 6. As you step up through the grades from 1 to 6 the size of the paper left after it has gone through the cross cut shredder gets increasingly smaller. Level 6 cross cuts are used by government departments for shredding the highest level of confidential

As well as security when comparing Strip Cut Shredders to Cross Cuts it’s also worth considering the speed and capacity of the shredder. Strip cut shredders will perform faster so if its speed that you need then the Strip Cut might be the best way to go. On the other hand cross cuts shredders cut the paper into smaller pieces that take up less space and therefore create less waste – the result is that the bins need emptying less.

The motors and blades on Cross Cut shredders take more punishment and therefore need a little more looking after. They can be prone to engine burn out if over used and they do “jam” more than strip cut shredders. Strip cuts don’t work nearly as hard, they don’t create as much paper dust so they’re typically last longer.

From a pricing perspective you will pay more for a cross cut paper shredder than a more simple strip cut shredder. You’re paying for a more sophisticated motor and set of blades and you’re paying a premium for the level of security that Cross Cuts offer.

When choosing a paper shredder base your buying decision on the volume and sensitivity of paper you need to shred, your commitment to maintenance and waste disposal, and your budget.

BUDGET PAPERSHREDDER:
Usually experts don’t recommend using cheaper paper shredders as they get rid off sooner by jamming and breaking just after a little rough use. However there appreciate the use of Royal 85X as a cheaper one. Since it a crosscut paper shredder so it is considered as a reliable one. It can handle more than 10 sheets at a time and that’s really realistic one. Users like its roller caster and sliding wastebasket. One thing over here with shredder is that it can’t shed CD’s and DVD’s, but with good care use it is best applicable for papers and sheets with minor clips.

BASIC LIGHT-DUTY SHREDDER:
Experts usually review that inexpensive paper shredders aren’t holding much burden of papers and they get jammed or broke very soon. The SPL paper shredders are considered feeble for heavy use of stapled papers. But if its cared and used gently they are okay for twice a day use. At least it is a crosscut shredder and is more secure than strip-cut shredder. Like other paper shredders, it has also one-year warranty.

HEAVY DUTY SHREDDER:
Heavy-duty shredder is good for the office use. And so Fellowes SB-95C is best for this purpose as it is capable of handling 1700 sheets per day. The property of passing 17 sheets at a time is really realistic. It can chew the paperclips and staples credit cards and much more and have a ten-gallon bin. Owners like the narrow design of the shredder as it incomparable of other paper shredders. The good part of this shredder is that it is remarkably quiet than other paper shredders but mind it, no child safety locks and guards are here in this shredder.

Paper shredders at office use are much better as compared with the use at home places, say the experts. They never guarantee the safety of children and say it can be injurious to other users of the device. Usually they don’t prefer the sub standard shredders, as they don’t work for long and mending of such devices are thought waste of money. Usually they are with one-year warranty and so consumers think of buying a cheaper one. As if thought in a better way the heavy one will be expensive but tits utility is prolonged.

Hand Held Paper Shredder

Thankfully there is now a range of hand-held paper shredders available on the market, giving you the ability to safely dispose of sensitive documents such as invoices, receipts or security information wherever you are – some are even capable of shredding multiple sheets at a time. They are generally compact and light-weight (around the same size as a pair of hair-straighteners) and are ideal for storing in a draw or travel bag. Most hand-held shredders usually run off AA batteries but some do come with an adaptor allowing you to run the paper shredder off mains power.

Paper Shredder Safety

Most paper shredders on the market have feed slots that are far too small for fingers to fit through. However some of the top brands include safety features such as sensors that detect foreign objects such as neck-ties, wristbands or whatever else could prove hazardous. This could be a worthy thought if your shredder will be for home use or in an environment where it may come into contact with children. Ultimately though safety is an issue that you will have to decide upon your self when making your decision on which paper shredder to purchase.

There are only really two types of shred pattern on the market today. These are strip cut paper shredders and cross cut paper shredders. In almost any case, it is strongly advisable to choose a cross cut paper shredder. With a cross cut paper shredder, your documents will come out like fine confetti and will be far more difficult to piece back together then a document that has passed through a strip cut paper shredder.

Strip-Cut Shredder

These days cross cut machines are generally no more expensive then their strip cut counterparts and whilst in the past their sheet capacity was less, today the difference is pretty much negligible and not really an issue. This makes choosing a cross cut paper shredder almost a no-brainer.

1. Credit Card Applications / Statements – This is a no-brainer, if a thief gets hold of your credit card number, account number, and address, he is only a few steps away from becoming ‘you’, and spending thousands on your card from your account.
2. Bank Statements / Letters – Mail from the bank always contains at the very least your account number and sort code, and when you open an account, make sure to shred your letter containing your new PIN number and log-in details, these are printed in the special ‘scratch-off’ areas for a reason.
3. Utility Bills – When you open an account, one of the things the bank will ask for is a utility bill to prove your address. So what would happen if an identity thief was to get hold of one? He could claim he lived at your house, and if he had other information, say, your name and date of birth, he could potentially impersonate you.
4. Expired Credit Cards – Some shredders have the capability to shred credit cards themselves, and if yours does, you should seriously consider shredding yours. Most people just cut their card into quarters, and while this may seem sufficient, it is extremely easy to piece back together and although the card may be useless in a shop, if it is not quite expired it could still be used to purchase goods online if the number is readable. Also, some shredders will even shred your old CDs and DVDs which may have sensitive data stored on them.
5. Birthday Cards, Junk Mail – Even innocent items such as birthday cards and junk adverts may contain sensitive information such as your date of birth, home telephone number and full name. Thieves only need a small amount of information to apply for a credit card or a bank account in your name.

So remember, shred as much as possible, even the smallest details should be destroyed, preferably with a cross-cut or diamond-cut shredder as these make it much harder for the thief to piece the information back together. Invest in a paper shredder today, and don’t forget to use it, it could just save you your identity.

Today there are a wide range of paper shredders on the market that are built to tackle CD’s, DVD’s and even credit cards. If you have to destroy these types of confidential material on a regular basis, then you should definitely consider one of these machines.

Another thing to be wary of is if your paper shredder is capable of handling paperclips and staples. Almost all modern paper shredders are fine with this and there is no reason to compromise on this feature but there are still a minority of shredders (mainly older models) that can prove problematic with these. So be warned!

1. If you are fond of writing checks, use only a gel pen with blank ink (gel pens are available in many colors including silver and gold). Gel pens are manufactured with a certain chemical that cannot be easily erased with special solvents used by identity theft criminals when changing the details on the check.
2. Research on how you can protect your child’s identity from identity theft. Your child has a very clean credit history which is very ideal for identity thieves. Also, identity thieves prefer children’s identity because children do not monitor their credit reports.
3. Opt out of phone directories and phone brigades. This will unlist your number from the local directory or if you want to be listed, use your first initial instead of your full name. Your full name and address are very valuable information that identity thieves can use for potential identity theft crimes.
4. Purchase a cross-cut shredder. Any documents that contain your personal information like receipts, credit card offers, bank statements and other correspondences should be shredded before they are thrown out of the trash. This would prevent dumpster divers from gaining access to your personal information.
5. Acknowledge the fact that dumpster diving actually exists and it’s not something that you can ignore. For this reason, you have to be very careful with the things that you throw in the trash can if you don’t want another person taking or using your identity.
6. Cover your hand when you key in your PIN number in the ATM machine. This would prevent shoulder surfers from getting your PIN number and making illegal transactions using your card account.
7. After withdrawing cash from the ATM machine, do not throw the receipt on the floor, or in the nearest garbage bin. The receipts also contain valuable information that criminals can use in their identity theft activities.
8. Instead of a signature, write the phrase “PHOTO ID REQUIRED” at the back of your credit card. If in case the card is stolen and the identity thief tries to make a purchase using your credit card, the cashier who will handle the transaction will be prompted to ask for additional ID cards before the entire purchase is completed. If, however, a purchase is still done, the store shares in the blame for any unauthorized charges that will be done in your account.
9. If you cannot memorize your social security numbers, passwords or PIN numbers, think of strategies that will enable you to remember all your passwords. Never, ever write them down on a small piece of paper and carry them around in your purse. To further protect yourself, do not carry other documents or identifying pieces of information that identity thieves can use, unless you really need them.
10. When you eat at restaurants or make purchases in department stores using your credit card, do not allow your credit card to be taken away from your sight. Whenever possible, do not allow the waiter to take it from you. They can switch your credit card and swipe them in a machine that will read all your account information.

Cross Cut Shredders

When you are looking for cheap paper shredders, one of the options to consider is cross cut shredders. This type of a shredder actually cuts paper into pieces that are about confetti size. They are quite small and it cuts so small that people won’t be able to put pieces of paper together to try to find your information on them. These may cost you a bit more than other types of shredders, but the price is definitely worth the increase in security that you get with this type of a machine.

Strip Cut Shredders

Another option to consider in your search for cheap paper shredders is strip cut options. These cut straight strips from the papers you feed into the shredding machine. The benefit to this shredder is that it can hold multiple pieces of paper at once. The only problem is that strips could possibly be put together, although it would be quite the task. This is the cheaper option, but it may not be the right one for you.

Shredder Capacity

As you are looking at the various paper shredders on the market, think about the shredder capacity. If you don’t do a lot of shredding, you can go with one that is on the small side. If you do a lot of shredding, then you will want to go with one that will handle a whole lot more. Consider going with one that handles more than one or two pieces of paper at a time as well if you need to shred a lot of paper at once.

Other Features

Of course, when you are looking for cheap paper shredders, there are some other features that you need to consider too. Consider the basket size, auto start, and automatic reverse. Some of these shredders even come with a buzzer that will alert you when your basket is completely full. Reverse feed is another great feature, which comes in handy when a jam occurs.

It is not impossible to find cheap paper shredders today. You have many options to consider and you can find some great shredders for a price that won’t hurt your budget. Keep these options in mind as you choose to ensure you get a shredder that will provide you with the service you need.

Still looking for the best cheap paper shredder? Get a destroy it shredder.