How to Minimize Paper Build Up

Go on a paper diet by reducing the amount of paper that comes in. A shredder is a great way to keep your paper to a minimum.

• Home office paper shredders are easy to find and are designed to fit underneath or next to most desks. Many of them are even small enough to be portable or double as a standard wastebasket.
  
• Make sure to keep your shredder in an easily accessible place.
  
• The shredded paper can be recycled.
  
• Shredding your papers protects against Identity & Idea (Creative Property) Theft.
  
• A shredder can kick up a lot of dust so keep it away from printers.
  
• Only shred paper and beware of staples and paperclips.
  
• A paper jam can overheat the shredder and cause a power surge. This can harm your other office electronics – like your computer! – so keep the shredder plugged into a separate outlet and always use a surge protector.
  
• You should shred any documents that may contain Social Security numbers, birth dates, your mother’s maiden name and any account numbers or online passwords.
  

This tip is from episode 35, Click to view the Episode Summary