skip to main content

Organizing the Home

Please recommend a good paper shredder

9 years ago

I have a little one that can shred two sheets (max) at a time which means I'd spend a lot of time shredding if I used this little one. I have decided I need a heavier duty model. would prefer to spend money in a model that is less time consuming and wont fall apart in a couple of months. Your suggestions appreciated. I plan to add my shreds to the compost pile.

Featured Answer

measure_twice

9 years ago

One or more Siberian Huskies, although they tend to be indiscriminate. DAMHIKT.

I use a local shredding service for intentional destruction.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

graywings123
9 years ago
This one gets high ratings in a consumer review magazine.

Here is a link that might be useful: shredder
emma
9 years ago
I don't know which are best, I just want one with an opening for my puffs. Most nice ones don't have an opening like that and that means I need another trash container in my office.
Related Discussions
shredder recommendations
Q
Comments (2)
I have a late 1980's Troy-bilt Tomahawk chipper/shredder. Great for leaves, 1/16" to 1/8", works well for large pieces of lawn paper bags. You might have just been interested in a paper shredder, but if you have seven compost bins like I do, that ain't gonna cut it. In spite of being underpowered, with a 4 hp gas engine, it is better than several 5 hp models I've used. Probably due to using hammermills instead of knives internally. It does have a clutch, so you will have to be modestly handy. If you can find a used one in good shape for $100 to $200, congratulations. Each fall I shred several hundred bags of neighborhood leaves. Takes a while, but I enjoy it. And a few of the neighbors shred their leaves, then PITCH them.
...See More
Good compost chipper/shredders?
Q
Comments (4)
Problem is with composting in a bin or whatever, one needs to carry the stuff to the bin, then afterwards haul the stuff where you want to use it. It seems to me, your very early in the process of potential joint problems since your still doing this. My suggestion is to begin experimenting with composting in place. Less chance of accelerating damage to the joints. We need to consistently keep moving, but not stress our body. And hands and wrists are much more important than the average person realizes. Not being able to wipe, because of wrist problems can be the end result, where you thought not being able to open the door was the worst of it. Every single thing you do each day adds up. Review all the things and start working on ways to make things easier on yourself. It will pay off in the long run. An appointment with a physical therapist is a reasonable option, having an expert to help guide me, early on was one of the smartest things I did and paid off in lower medical costs in the long run. Since I've changed doorknobs and faucets to levers, found a mouse that works for me, learned to crochet to strengthen my hands and wrists... some folks take up knitting for the same reason, but not holding the hook in the normal way. Changed my keyboard layout to Dvorac and learning that was a trial, but super helpful..and continues paying off. Then all the more obvious things like household and garden tools designed to be wrist friendly. Do take care. Being tough and working through the pain does NOT make sense once you realize you can cause damage to your body that can NEVER be undone. If it hurts... STOP. Be kind to yourself and with luck we will both continue in the garden till the end. I know my quality of life would diminish significantly without my garden. I agree with Ltilton, chippers are chippers and shredders are shredders. Folks that try to get one to do both, are the ones writing bad reviews on the machines they bought. Each machine does exactly what it was built to do, and does anything else poorly. I did buy a Worx leaf shredder for specific things. It works great for my needs. The plus there is it nests together in a small stack that fits on a shelf on my back porch. I only bring it out now and then during the summer for certain projects. For your cardboard go to the vermicomposting forum and search for the paper shredder they prefer for cardboard. I forget the brand name, but there was one several folks use and really like. This post was edited by plaidbird on Fri, Jul 4, 14 at 17:15
...See More
please recommend some good food scales
Q
Comments (15)
There is a shipload of kitchen scales designed for average home use including some very sleek ones such as Ozeri and Escali but with kitchen equipment, sleek does not always translate to good. For instance, the popular touch button feature is indeed stylish but it just wonÃ¢ÂÂt work if your hands are wet. Concerning functionality, OXO Good Grips is probably the best food scale available at the moment. Pull-out display, removable and dishwasher safe parts and tangible buttons are some of the things that make it my choice.
...See More
Mulch from the paper shredder?
Q
Comments (17)
I knew somebody would jump on that. No, I don't worry about a little possibly toxic ink winding up in the soil. Nothing is grown in the garden that we eat that might take up toxins into the foliage except the herb garden, and no newspaper goes there. (And if somebody eats my hostas, they are gonna die long before any toxins can take effect, lol!) Besides, what with all the manufactured chemicals people pour into their gardens in the interest of having bug-free plants and weed-free gardens, and the GMO foods we are served that fill our bodies with junk (and I'm not going to get into that arguement on here) a few inks are the least of my worries. I grow plants in my garden, we all do, that produce way more poisons (monkshood, datura, peaches, impatiens, morning glories, nicotiana, foxgloves, eg to name just a few) than a few inks and glossy coatings will. Sandy
...See More
bbstx
9 years ago
Below is a link to an updated version of the one we purchased. We've had it for 4 or 5 years. I'm pleased. I especially like the credit card slot. The only thing it won't handle is our Marriott Visa card that is actually metal. Ask me how I know....

Here is a link that might be useful: GoECOlife shredder at Costco
wantoretire_did
9 years ago
Our Staples will take papers, put into a large locked container (in my presence) then that container goes to Iron Mountain for shredding, for a very nominal fee. I think Kinkos may have the same or similar service. When my shredder dies, I dont think I will replace it.
duluthinbloomz4
9 years ago
How much does the OP want to spend to make compost additions?

I've burned through two of the cross-cuts in @15 years - and they got very heavy use. The one I have now just gets paid bills, brokerage statements - anything with account numbers, etc. I've gotten my $ worth from what Walmart was offering. The big boxes plus Office Depot, Staples, etc. have them in all price ranges, number of pages you can put through, and assorted other features.

Consumer Reports rated GoECOlife, Aurora, and Fellowes models, I think.
bleusblue2
9 years ago
Am I overly suspicious? How can you trust a company that takes your shredding away -- sure it's locked. Somebody unlocks it out of your presence. Please convince me because it would be a big help to me if I could just deliver pounds of documents to be shredded.
bossyvossy
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks all for your input. We went with a Royal 1600mx from SAMs, on sale for $75 til jan 25th. Chose it b/c it can shred 16 pages, cross cut style, and CDs, CCards and can run for 30 min uninterrupted. Had good reviews on Amazon .

There used to be a commercial co that offered free shredding every weekend but they moved too far to be worth our while. We will do statements, card applications, but will continue to take magazines to recycle center. The shreds will go to compost pile.
elphaba_gw
9 years ago
Our local Office Max has a shredding service. That's good enough for me. I take a sack of stuff to be shredded every other week or so. Costs somewhere between 3 and 5 dollars. Soooo much better than shredding at home. But then I've never been a victim of identity theft ... crossing fingers.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
9 years ago
If you can shread only paper, it makes a very good "mulch" and creates good compost for your garden. My problems ends up being I seem to always have a piece of some kind of plastic that needs shredding.

BTW, my shredder is the one from Costco mentioned above, and we have been very pleased with it.

Related Stories

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Put Pen to Paper

By Laura Gaskill

Note writing a lost art? Not when you have a nice selection of papers, a dedicated spot and the right frame of mind

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Recycled Paper Surprises With Durability and Warmth

By Ivon Street Studio

Sturdier than you might think, this postconsumer countertop material also has major environmental cred

KITCHEN DESIGN Super Backsplashes to Pair With Recycled-Paper Counters

By Becky Harris

Aesthetics and personal ethics come together for most folks who opt for this eco-friendly material

ARCHITECTURE What the Heck Is 'Good' Design Anyway?

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

We yearn for it and strive for it, but good home design isn't always easy to grasp. These 8 prescriptions from an architect can help

COMMUNITY Simple Acts: The Unsung Power of a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

There are many ways to be a good neighbor, and they're often easier than you think

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you discover how hard bees work for our food supply, you may never garden without them in mind again

LIFE 6 Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Be Good Neighbors

By Alison Hodgson

Everyone wins when your children learn to respect boundaries, get help when they need it and show others they care

MOST POPULAR 5 Remodels That Make Good Resale Value Sense — and 5 That Don’t

By Matt Clawson

Find out which projects offer the best return on your investment dollars

KITCHEN DESIGN What to Know When Choosing a Range Hood

Find out the types of kitchen range hoods available and the options for customized units

Sponsored

More Discussions

ideas for weird cubby I home office room

11

Can I build a more useful coat/linen closet?

11

How would you use these shallow shelves?

12

entry way ideas

17

Not enough bathroom storage. Ideas?

13