Canadians lost over $638 million to fraud in 2024. Identity fraud was the biggest problem, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
For Vancouver businesses and homeowners with sensitive papers like financial records, medical files, or legal documents, picking the right paper shredding service is important. It’s about keeping your information safe.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What makes a shredding service secure
- How onsite and offsite options are different
- What you should pay in the Lower Mainland
- The right questions to ask before trusting any company
Whether you’re a Richmond business owner with filing cabinets to clean out, a Kits homeowner getting rid of decades of paperwork, or a Burnaby office manager who needs to follow privacy rules, finding the right local company makes a big difference.
What Should I Look for in a Paper Shredding Service in Vancouver?
Professional Certification
- Independent auditors check their work regularly
- Not just a badge on their wall
- They follow strict rules and get checked by outside experts
Certificate of Destruction
- Legal proof your documents were destroyed
- Required for following BC privacy laws (PIPA) and federal rules
- Protects you during audits or legal questions
Service Flexibility
- Both onsite shredding (watch documents get destroyed at your location)
- Offsite options for large amounts
- Different situations need different approaches
Secure Chain of Custody
- Locked bins at your location
- Background-checked staff
- GPS-tracked trucks from pickup to destruction
- Documents stay safe from start to finish
Environmental Responsibility
- Recycling 100% of shredded paper through certified facilities
- Metro Vancouver achieved over 60% recycling rates in recent years
Pro Tip: Lower Mainland businesses should also check that the company has proper insurance and can work with your schedule. This matters whether you need a one-time cleanup or regular scheduled pickups.
Compare certified shredding services in Vancouver to find the right provider for your needs.
Vancouver Shredding Service Options
Several companies serve the Lower Mainland:
National chains:
- Iron Mountain
- Shred-it
- Typically operate across multiple cities
- Standardized processes and pricing
Regional services:
- Proshred
- West Coast Shredding
- Cover parts of Metro Vancouver
Local independent providers:
- Community-focused operations
- Often more flexible scheduling
- Direct communication with owners
Why Infoshred stands out: As a locally owned and operated business based in Maple Ridge, Infoshred offers the personalized service and flexibility that larger corporate chains can’t match. You’re not dealing with a call center in another province. You’re working directly with a local team that knows the Lower Mainland, understands BC privacy requirements, and can make decisions quickly to accommodate your specific needs. Their professional security certification ensures you get enterprise-level security with small business care.
How Secure Are Professional Paper Shredding Services?
Before looking at service types or prices, let’s answer the most important question:can you really trust a shredding company with your sensitive documents?
The answer depends on their certifications and how they work.
Professional Certification: Independent Security Checks
What it means:
- Companies get surprise audits
- Audits check everything from employee background checks to equipment care
- Independent auditors verify their security claims
Why it matters: If a company says they’re secure but doesn’t have current certification, you’re just trusting what they say. With proper certification, independent auditors check their claims.
Security Note: Infoshred has professional security certification. This means their processes get checked regularly by independent security experts. For New West healthcare clinics or North Van accounting firms dealing with sensitive client information, this level of verified security matters.
Certificate of Destruction: Your Legal Protection
After your documents are destroyed, you should get a Certificate of Destruction. This isn’t just a receipt.It’s legal proof that your documents were destroyed the right way.
Under BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA):
- Organizations must protect personal information
- Must destroy documents when they don’t need them anymore
- Without this certificate, you could face legal problems
Chain of Custody: From Your Office to Complete Destruction
A secure shredding service follows these steps to keep your sensitive information safe.
| Step | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Collection | Locked bins at your location | Stops unauthorized access |
| 2. Transport | Background-checked employees, secured trucks with GPS | Documents stay secure in transit |
| 3. Destruction | Witnessed or documented destruction | Everything is eliminated |
| 4. Recycling | Certified recycling facilities | Environmental care |
Compare this to home shredding:
- Documents sit in trash bags by your curb, exposed to anyone passing by.
- Office recycling bins can be accessed by cleaning staff or visitors.
- Private information is left vulnerable until pickup.
Professional services eliminate these risks. Local Vancouver providers like Infoshred offer onsite shredding where you can witness the destruction or offsite services at their secure facility.
Onsite vs. Offsite Shredding: Which Service Model Works Best?
Lower Mainland shredding companies usually offer two service types.
Onsite (Mobile) Shredding
How it works: A truck with an industrial shredder comes to your location. You watch your documents get destroyed right away. The truck parks right outside your Yaletown office or Surrey warehouse.
Best for:
- High-security needs where you want to watch destruction
- Medium amounts (usually 1-10 boxes or file cabinets)
- Situations needing immediate destruction
- Healthcare or legal industries
Benefits:
- You see the entire process
- Nothing leaves your property intact
- Faster turnaround for smaller amounts
- No transportation risk
Cost factor: Usually costs more per pound because you’re paying for mobile service convenience.
Offsite (Plant-Based) Shredding
How it works: Documents are collected in locked bins, moved to a secure facility, and destroyed in bulk using industrial equipment.
Best for:
- Large amounts (10+ boxes)
- Cost-sensitive projects
- Regular scheduled pickups
- Situations where watching destruction isn’t required
Benefits:
- More cost-effective for bulk volume
- Handles very large quantities well
- Usually uses higher-security shredding equipment
Quick Comparison Table
Compare onsite vs. offsite shredding to find the best fit for your security, cost, and convenience.
| Feature | Onsite Shredding | Offsite Shredding |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher per pound | Lower for bulk |
| Security visibility | Watch it happen | Trust the process + certificate |
| Best volume | 1–10 boxes | 10+ boxes |
| Convenience | Comes to you | Pickup scheduled |
| Turnaround | Same-day possible | 1–3 days typical |
| Ideal for | Immediate needs, high security | Cost savings, large volume |
For businesses across the Lower Mainland: Many companies offer scheduled service where locked containers stay at your location. Employees drop documents in throughout the week or month, and the shredding company empties them on schedule.
Local advantage: Infoshred serves Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, and surrounding communities with flexible scheduling that works around your business hours. Unlike larger corporate shredding companies with rigid schedules and standardized service packages, Infoshred can accommodate unique timing needs and special requests. As a small, locally owned business, they prioritize client relationships over transaction volume.
How Much Do Paper Shredding Services Cost in Vancouver?
Here's what you can expect to pay in the Vancouver area for 2025.
Recurring Shredding Services (For Businesses)
Monthly plans offer the best value for regular shredding needs, ensuring ongoing security and compliance for your business.
| Service Frequency | Cost Per Visit | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Starting at $60 | High-volume offices |
| Bi-monthly | $65–$75 | Medium-volume offices |
| Quarterly | $70–$80 | Low-volume offices |
What’s included:
- Lockable container or bin stays at your Richmond office or Surrey clinic
- Employees drop private documents in throughout the month
- Shredding company picks them up on schedule
One-Time Purge Services
Perfect for: Home cleanouts, office moves, or seasonal file purges in Kits, North Van, or anywhere across Metro Vancouver.
Pricing structure:
- Per-box: $20-$25 per standard document box
- Per-pound: $0.75-$1.50 per pound
- Minimum charge: $100 for service
Real-world examples:
- Home office cleanout in West Van (5-8 boxes): $100-$200
- Small business in New West (several years of files): $150-$400
What Makes Costs Go Up
Several factors can affect your shredding service pricing in Vancouver. Here’s a clear breakdown.
| Factor | Impact on Cost | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Service location | Higher for onsite | Mobile service convenience |
| Volume | Lower per-unit, higher total | Bulk discounts apply |
| Frequency | Lower for recurring | Regular clients get better rates |
| Distance | Extra charges possible | Locations out to Langley or Mission |
| Add-ons | Variable | Hard drive destruction, rush service |
Hidden Fees to Watch For
Ask about these before you commit:
- Bin rental fees for ongoing service
- Fuel surcharges not included in quoted rates
- Separate charges for Certificate of Destruction (should be included)
- Minimum pickup fees if you don’t fill containers
Save Money: Working with a local provider like Infoshred means clear pricing with no surprise fees. They’ll walk you through exactly what you’re paying for upfront.
Ready to get an accurate quote? Schedule a free consultation or call for same-day service availability.
What Do Paper Shredding Services Do With the Shredded Paper?
Good news: After your documents are destroyed, the paper doesn’t go to a landfill. Good shredding services recycle 100% of shredded material.
The Recycling Process
Here’s what happens after shredding:
- Shredding: Documents are cut into small pieces (security level determines exact size)
- Baling: Shredded paper is compressed into large bales for easy transport
- Transport to mill: Bales are shipped to paper recycling facilities
- Processing: The paper is pulped, cleaned, and prepared for reuse
- New products: Recycled paper becomes cardboard, newsprint, packaging materials, tissue products, and more
Why it matters: This process keeps tons of paper out of landfills. For Vancouver businesses focused on sustainability, professional shredding is more environmentally friendly than most disposal methods.
Environmental Certifications
What to look for:
- Shredding companies that partner with certified recycling facilities
- Companies that can show their recycling rates
- Environmental impact reports showing how much paper your organization kept out of landfills
Metro Vancouver Advantage: The region has strong recycling systems. This makes it easier for local shredding companies to maintain high environmental standards. Most good providers can show you where your shredded paper goes and what it becomes.
Local example: Infoshred recycles all shredded materials through certified BC facilities. For environmentally conscious businesses across the Lower Mainland or Surrey homeowners, knowing your old documents become new paper products instead of landfill waste matters.
6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Shredding Company in Vancouver
Use these questions to separate legitimate, secure providers from companies that cut corners:
1. Are you professionally certified and can I see current certification proof?
Why this matters:
- Checks that independent auditors review their security practices
- Ask to see their certificate and check the expiration date
- Professional certification needs regular renewal
- Expired certificates mean they’re not currently audited
2. Do you provide a Certificate of Destruction, and is it included or an extra fee?
What you need to know:
- The certificate should be included in your service at no extra cost
- It’s your legal proof of destruction and essential for following rules
- If they charge extra for it, that’s a warning sign
3. What’s your chain of custody process from pickup to final destruction?
They should clearly explain:
- Locked bins
- Background-checked employees
- Secured vehicles
- Destruction process
- Recycling
Red flag: Unclear answers suggest weak security.
4. Are all employees background-checked and trained in privacy protocols?
Requirements:
- Every person handling your documents should be screened and trained
- This is part of professional certification requirements
- Ask directly even if they’re certified
5. What insurance do you carry for document security breaches or losses?
Why it’s important:
- Professional shredding companies carry insurance specifically for privacy breaches or loss of documents
- This protects you if something goes wrong during their custody of your materials
6. Can I witness the shredding process or visit your facility?
What’s standard:
- For onsite service, you should be able to watch
- For offsite service, good companies allow facility tours (scheduled in advance for security reasons)
- Companies that refuse these requests may have something to hide
Local Business Advantage: Working with a locally owned business means better communication and personalized service. Infoshred knows their clients across the Lower Mainland by name, not account numbers. When you call with questions or need to change your schedule, you’re talking to people who understand your business and can make decisions quickly.
Is DIY Shredding a Good Alternative to Professional Services?
For some situations, home shredding makes sense. For others, it creates more problems than it solves.
When DIY Works
Home shredding is reasonable for:
- Personal tax documents with no business or compliance requirements
- Low volume (under 100 pages per year)
- Non-sensitive materials where incomplete destruction isn’t a big risk
- Situations where cost is the only thing that matters
Bottom line: If you’re shredding a few old utility bills or credit card offers, a basic home shredder handles that fine.
When Professional Service Is Necessary
You need professional shredding when:
Compliance requirements apply:
- Businesses subject to PIPA, PIPEDA, healthcare privacy laws, or legal confidentiality requirements typically can’t rely on DIY methods
- Regulatory investigations look for documented destruction processes
- Companies like Shred-it, Iron Mountain, and Infoshred all provide compliance documentation, but Infoshred offers more direct communication for audit support
Volume exceeds practical limits:
- Shredding more than a few boxes yourself can take many hours
- Consumer shredders jam frequently
Security level matters:
- Consumer shredders typically provide basic strip-cut or cross-cut security
- Professional services use micro-cut shredding that meets higher security standards
- Makes document reconstruction extremely difficult
Risk of exposure:
- Home shredding means documents end up in trash bags at your curb
- They could be accessed before pickup
The Real Cost Comparison
Here’s what DIY shredding actually costs a small business in Vancouver over a year compared to hiring a professional service.
| Approach | DIY Shredding | Professional Service |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | $200–$500 initial investment | None |
| Staff time | $25–$35/hour (BC wages) | None (staff continues working) |
| Maintenance | Ongoing costs throughout the year | None |
| Disposal | Regular expense for managing shredded material | Included |
| Security | No compliance documentation | Locked bins, secured process, Certificate of Destruction |
| Compliance | No certificate of destruction | Documented chain of custody |
| Monthly cost | Variable, adds up quickly | Starting at $60/visit |
Real-world example: A Burnaby accounting firm spending several hours per month having staff shred documents loses productive time that could be spent on billable work or core business activities. For most businesses across Metro Vancouver, professional shredding costs less when you factor in time value and risk reduction.
Don't Risk Your Privacy With DIY or Uncertified Providers
Choosing the right paper shredding service in Vancouver comes down to:
- Security credentials
- The right service type for your needs
- Clear pricing
- Documented processes that protect your privacy and meet compliance requirements
What separates professional services from companies that just own shredders:
- Professional certification
- Certificate of Destruction
- Secure chain of custody
- Environmental responsibility
Whether you need onsite witnessing for high-security materials at your downtown Vancouver office or cost-effective offsite destruction for bulk volumes in Richmond, the best providers offer both options with full transparency.
The bottom line: Professional shredding isn’t just convenient. It’s essential for protecting privacy, meeting compliance requirements, and avoiding security risks that DIY methods can’t eliminate.
Ready to Get Started?
Infoshred serves:
- Vancouver
- Burnaby
- Richmond
- Surrey
- New Westminster
- North Van
- Coquitlam
- Surrounding Lower Mainland
Why choose a locally owned business:
- Personalized service you won’t get from Iron Mountain or Shred-it
- Direct access to decision-makers, not corporate call centers
- Better understanding of local BC regulations and business needs
- Flexible scheduling that accommodates your specific requirements
- Community investment – your money stays in the Lower Mainland
- Clear communication with people who know your name
- No surprises or hidden corporate fees
- Your specific needs get heard and handled properly
Infoshred difference: While national chains like Shred-it and Iron Mountain offer standardized service across Canada, Infoshred provides the flexibility and personal attention that only a local operator can deliver. Based in Maple Ridge and serving all of Metro Vancouver, they combine professional certification and security standards with the responsive service of a family-owned business.
Get your free quote today or call for same-day service availability for professionally certified shredding service you can verify and trust.
Sources: Fraud statistics from Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, BC privacy law requirements from Personal Information Protection Act, recycling information from Metro Vancouver data. Pricing based on 2025 Vancouver market rates.