How secure is paper recycling?

Question

Should you shred your mail before recycling it? I am always worried about throwing my opened mail in the recycle bin. I guess the dump isn't any safer. What do you do?

Answer 1

just tear off the portion that has your name and personal info on it. Usually it is just a small portion. Save them all in an envelope and cut them up into small pieces with a pair of scissors once per month

Answer 2

if it's business mail, or you think it has some personal information, you should definitely shred it.  otherwise, dont take the trouble shredding it.  if it came in an envelope that on the inside is printed all these random criss-cross lines or dot pattern, shred the letter when ur done because that is a security envelope generally used to keep someone from scanning through the envelope to read ur mail.

Answer 3

Buy your own paper shredder.

Answer 4

I shred everything that has a name or address on it. If it is not something I keep, I don't want anyone going through my garbage and getting ANY information that could lead to identity theft.

Edit:  No matter how small you hand shred paper, someone can always piece it together. Uniform cross cut shredders make it pretty impossible to piece things together.

Answer 5

yup! rip or $ a shredder, then recycle it! therz identity thefts out there........

Answer 6

Recycling is more insecure than the trash as it will be handled several times during the recycling process.   Use a service that will shred and recycle your papers.

Answer 7

You should rip it in tiny pieces before you put in recycling bin,dont bother buying shredder waste of money!

Answer 8

shred than ryclycle because when you put papers in a bag it take up room and leaves some big spaces.So when you shred it goes to take up the dpace in the bag or recycling bin

Answer 9

JUST MAKE SURE YOU TEAR UP UNWANTED MAIL TO SHREDDS..WHY SPEND MONEY ON SOMETHING YOU CAN DO AS HANDS ON ..PROBLEM SOLVED