Confidential paper documents

UW Recycling does not accept confidential paper and does not provide paper shredding services.

UWMC

UWMC affiliates should use Shred-it. Coordinate shredding service through UWMC’s Environmental Services department.

Non-UWMC

Option 1: Self-serve

Use a shredder machine of your choice. Put shredded paper in clear plastic bags, tie the bags securely and place them next to a Bagit station for collection by Custodial Services.

Do not put loose shredded paper in Bagits or toters.

Option 2: State-contracted vendor, off-site shredding

LeMay Mobile Shredding provides off-site shredding at a Washington state-contracted rate to all UW departments. LeMay does not provide containers but will pick-up bags, boxes, etc. of confidential material and load into their truck for destruction off-site. The process pulverizes and completely destroys the documents.

Option 3: Vendor of Your Choice

Contract directly with a vendor, such as Shred-it or Seadrunar Recycling, for either on-site or off-site shredding services.

Check before you toss

Is my item UW property?

If your unwanted item was purchased with University funds, regardless of condition, it must be transferred to UW Surplus.

Is my item confidential?

Check the UW Records Retention schedules before disposing of any record (e.g. documents, photographs, slides, audiotapes, videotapes, CDs/DVDs, etc.). If the records retention schedule says, “shred or delete” for your item, it’s considered confidential. Follow the confidential documents or confidential eMedia procedures as needed.