Kristen Cramer

November 13, 2024

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Fact-checked by

Jennifer Carlson

Drop-off paper shredding services cost $0.99 to $1.49 per pound on average. The cost to shred documents ranges from $85 to $175 for 3 to 10 standard-size banker boxes, depending on the provider, your location, and whether you choose onsite mobile shredding or offsite shredding services.

Paper shredding service cost Shredding service type Average cost
Drop-off shredding   $0.99 – $1.49 per pound  
Onsite / mobile shredding   $100 – $175 (for 3 to 10 boxes)  
Offsite shredding   $85 – $150 (for 3 to 10 boxes)  

Drop-off shredding is the most affordable option, where you bring your documents to a retail location like an office supply store or shipping center for shredding. Paper shredding prices range from $0.99 to $1.49 per pound. The table below shows a comparison of prices at popular stores:

Document shredding cost by store Store Cost per pound
The UPS Store   $1.49  
Staples   $1.29  
Office Depot   $0.99  
FedEx   $1.49  

With onsite or mobile shredding, a shredding truck comes to your location, and you can witness the destruction of your documents. Mobile shredding services cost $100 to $175 per visit, which covers shredding of up to 10 standard-size banker boxes or around 300 pounds of paper.

Offsite shredding services cost $85 to $150 for up to 10 standard-size banker boxes of paper. With offsite shredding, the company picks up your documents, transports them in locked containers, and shreds them at a secure facility. The downside is that you can't personally witness the documents' destruction.

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Several factors impact paper shredding prices:

Quantity of documents: Some services charge by the pound, while others have per-box or per-bin pricing. The more documents you need to shred, the higher the overall cost.

Service type: Drop-off shredding is the least expensive, while mobile and offsite services cost more due to transportation and labor.

One-time vs. recurring service: Recurring shredding pickups can be more cost-effective than single appointments. Many companies offer discounts for setting up regular service.

Geographic location: Pricing varies by location based on local market rates and operational costs like distance traveled.

Additional services: Shredding providers may charge more for additional services like hard drive destruction, shredded paper recycling, or issuing certificates of destruction.

Yes, most professional shredding services recycle the shredded paper. The material is baled and sent to paper mills for processing into new paper products, making it an environmentally responsible choice for document disposal.

Yes, shredding sensitive documents helps to protect your personal information and prevent identity theft. It also frees up space in your home, and it can help the environment as most shredding services recycle the shredded paper.

The practice of regularly shredding documents also ensures businesses comply with privacy laws, protect their customers and employees, and prevent data theft that can severely damage the business' reputation.

Any documents with sensitive personal, financial, or medical information should be shredded, including:

Financial statements and records

Tax returns and receipts

Credit card statements and offers

Pay stubs

Medical records and bills

Insurance documents

Legal papers

Utility bills

Employee records

Boarding passes and travel itineraries

Yes, you should securely shred a deceased person's sensitive documents to avoid identity theft. This includes bank statements, tax forms, medical bills, credit card statements, and more.

Most professional shredding services can handle laminated documents. However, some may not accept them, or they may charge a higher fee. Check with your shredding service provider if you have laminated papers to destroy.

There are many options for secure document shredding, including dedicated shredding service companies, office supply stores, and retail shipping locations. Follow these tips to ensure you select a trustworthy shredding service near you to protect your confidential information:

Look for companies with National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) certification to ensure strict security standards.

Read online reviews for local shredding services.

Confirm the company provides a certificate of destruction.

Ask about the company's environmental practices.

Request proof of background-screened employees and insurance.

How we get this data

Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.