Definitions

  • VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business): A designation granted to small businesses in the United States that are at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. This classification recognizes and supports the entrepreneurial efforts of veterans, often giving them access to specialized government contracts, resources, and opportunities through programs such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans First Contracting Program. Being certified as a VOSB demonstrates a company's commitment to veteran leadership and contributions to the economy.

  • NAID AAA Certification: A prestigious accreditation issued by the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID) that signifies a company's compliance with the highest standards of security and professionalism in the secure destruction of sensitive information. This certification requires companies to undergo rigorous audits by trained, independent professionals to verify adherence to strict security protocols, including employee background checks, operational safeguards, and regulatory compliance. NAID AAA Certification assures clients that their materials are handled and destroyed securely, meeting or exceeding legal and industry standards for data protection. Valley Green Shredding has earned and maintained this accreditation since 2014.

  • Massachusetts VBE (Veteran Business Enterprise): A certification granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to businesses that are at least 51% owned, controlled, and managed by one or more veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. This designation recognizes veteran-owned businesses within the state and provides them with access to opportunities for government contracts, resources, and support programs aimed at fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship among veterans. The VBE certification is managed by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) in Massachusetts, promoting the inclusion of veteran-owned businesses in public and private procurement activities.

  • Document Shredding Truck: A mobile, state-of-the-art vehicle designed for on-site secure destruction of sensitive documents and materials. Valley Green Shredding's trucks are equipped with advanced shredding systems and GPS tracking for the ultimate security of each vehicle's travels, ensuring full accountability throughout the destruction process. Some trucks in our fleet are also outfitted with specialized equipment for shredding computer hard drives and solid-state drives, operating independently of the paper shredding system for added versatility. These high-tech "factories on wheels" represent a significant investment, with each truck starting at $270,000 and fully outfitted to provide a highly effective, secure, and reliable solution for destroying your confidential materials.

  • On-site refers to services or activities conducted at the client’s physical location, rather than at an external facility or off-site location. In the context of document destruction and records management, on-site services involve bringing specialized equipment, such as shredding trucks, directly to the client's premises to securely handle and dispose of sensitive materials.

    Key Aspects of On-site Services:

    - Convenience: Provides secure and efficient destruction or handling of materials without the need to transport them to another location.

    - Enhanced Security: Ensures that confidential documents or materials remain under client control and oversight throughout the entire destruction process.

    - Witnessing Capability: Allows clients to observe the process in real-time for added assurance and compliance with specific security or regulatory requirements.

    On-site services are ideal for clients who prioritize immediate destruction, maintain strict data protection policies, or prefer to supervise the process directly at their location.

  • "Off-site" refers to services or activities conducted away from the client’s physical location, typically at a specialized facility or third-party site. In the context of document destruction and records management, off-site services involve securely transporting sensitive materials to an external location where they are processed, stored, or destroyed.

    Key Aspects of Off-site Services:

    - Secure Transport: Materials are collected from the client’s location and transported to an external facility using secure, monitored vehicles.

    - Controlled Environment: Processing and destruction occur in a facility equipped with advanced security measures and procedures, such as access control, surveillance, and NAID AAA Certification standards, if applicable.

    - Cost Efficiency: Off-site services may be more cost-effective for large volumes of material or recurring destruction needs, leveraging economies of scale.

    - Detailed Documentation: Clients receive documentation, such as a Certificate of Destruction (COD), to verify that materials have been processed securely and in compliance with regulatory requirements.

    Off-site services are suitable for clients seeking cost-effective solutions, where immediate destruction is not required on-site, and where secure handling and destruction at a specialized facility is preferred.

  • Contracted Recurring Shredding Service: A scheduled document destruction program provided by Valley Green Shredding, designed to securely and consistently handle the disposal of sensitive materials on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or customized schedule. This service is tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses, organizations, and institutions, ensuring that confidential information is destroyed regularly and securely.

    By automating the shredding process through recurring services, clients can:

    - Save Time: Eliminate the need for employees to manually shred documents, allowing them to focus on core business tasks.

    - Save Money: Avoid the costs of purchasing, maintaining, and replacing in-house shredding equipment, as well as the risk of potential data breaches due to improper handling.

    - Ensure Compliance: Maintain adherence to federal and state regulations such as HIPAA, FACTA, and GDPR, as well as industry-specific requirements, by following best practices for document destruction.

    With Valley Green Shredding’s NAID AAA Certified services, clients can trust that their documents are handled with the highest level of security and professionalism, safeguarding their organization’s reputation while meeting legal and regulatory standards.

  • A Security Console (also known as an Executive Console) is a secure, lockable container used to store confidential documents prior to shredding. These consoles are commonly used in offices and other professional settings to ensure secure, temporary containment of sensitive paper materials. The standard size measures approximately 36"H, 20"W, and 16"D, with a smaller 24"H version available.

    Key Features:

    - JCAHO Compliant: Meets standards set by the Joint Commission, ensuring it is suitable for healthcare and other regulated environments.

    - Manufactured in North America: Ensures quality control and adherence to industry standards.

    - Anti-Phishing Paper Deflector: Enhances security by preventing unauthorized removal of documents from the console.

    - High-Quality Solution: Provides robust security for confidential materials.

    - 180-Degree Hinge: Allows for easy and efficient access during servicing.

    - Wall-Hugging Liner, Bag, or Box Design: Maximizes space efficiency by minimizing the console's footprint.

    - Ergonomic and Space-Efficient: Designed to fit comfortably in various office layouts without obstructing movement.

    The Security Console is an essential component of secure document management, designed to support data protection protocols by securely storing sensitive documents until they are shredded.

  • A 64- and 96-Gallon Security Cart (also referred to as a Bin, Toter®, or Basket) is a large, durable container designed for the secure collection and transport of confidential documents destined for shredding. With dimensions of approximately 42.5"H x 24.25"W x 27.75"D, it offers ample capacity for high-volume environments.

    Key Features:

    - Locking: Available with an external metal hasp for enhanced security with a dedicated company-issued padlock.

    - Molded Paper Slot and Deflector: Adds security by restricting access to the interior, preventing unauthorized removal of documents.

    - Made in North America: Guarantees high manufacturing quality and adherence to industry standards.

    - Environmentally Friendly: Constructed from materials that are 100% recyclable.

    The 64-Gallon Security Cart is an essential tool for secure document disposal, particularly suited for businesses with high paper disposal needs. Its robust construction, ergonomic design, and security features make it a reliable solution for maintaining document confidentiality during the collection and transport process.

  • A Certificate of Destruction (COD) is an official document provided by a shredding or destruction service to certify that materials have been securely destroyed in compliance with legal, regulatory, or internal company requirements. This certificate serves as a formal record, ensuring that confidential documents, electronic media, or other sensitive materials have been properly disposed of, preventing unauthorized access or data breaches.

    Key Components of a Certificate of Destruction:

    - Documented Proof: Confirms the date, time, and location of the destruction.

    - Description of Materials Destroyed: Typically includes the type, quantity, and source of materials.

    - Certification of Compliance: Verifies that the destruction process adheres to industry standards and regulations, such as NAID AAA Certification or HIPAA compliance, if applicable.

    - Authorized Signatures: Signed by an authorized client representative ensuring accountability.

    - Unique Identifier or Reference Number: Often includes a unique serial or tracking number for easy reference and record-keeping.

    The COD is an essential element in data protection protocols, offering assurance that sensitive information has been securely destroyed. It provides a reliable audit trail for companies to demonstrate their commitment to data privacy and regulatory compliance.

  • In the context of paper material storage, "overage", or, “over-fill” refers to the situation where the volume of paper exceeds the capacity of the designated security container. When overage occurs, the container is unable to fully contain and secure its contents, leading to overflow or an inability to properly close or lock the container. This compromises the container's intended function of securely holding sensitive or confidential material, potentially exposing the contents to unauthorized access, loss, or damage.

    Any accessible material not within the confines of the security container shall be considered overage. It is up to the discretion of the on-site shredding technician to determine whether the overage is subject to additional charges. Overage can also be visually assessed in various situations, including:

    - Security Console: Paper is visibly protruding from the deposit slot, or the customer has opened the console door and overstuffed the bag, making it difficult or impossible to close the door securely or causing it to close with significant pressure behind it.

    - Security Cart: Paper is protruding from the deposit slot, or the contents are mounded above the container’s top lip (measured when the lid is flipped open).

    Overage will be measured in sizes commensurate with a standard letter box (measuring 10.5" x 12" x 15") at the discretion of the shredding technician conducting the service. The shredding technician is the sole judge of this measurement.

    Issues with overage can be managed in various ways, including but not limited to:

    - Decreasing paper usage,

    - Increasing the frequency of service,

    - Increasing the number of security containers, or

    - Changing the size of the security containers.

    These solutions help ensure the secure handling and containment of materials within the designated security containers.

  • Bulk Purge (also known as “Purge”): The process of securely destroying a large volume of documents, records, or materials in a single event. Typically performed during office cleanouts, after retention schedules have expired, or in preparation for a relocation or audit, bulk purges are designed to handle significant quantities of sensitive or non-essential materials efficiently. This service often involves on-site or off-site shredding and ensures compliance with data protection and privacy regulations. More information here

  • Pulping: The final step in the secure document destruction process, where shredded paper is mixed with water and chemicals to break down the paper fibers into a slurry. This process renders the original documents completely unrecognizable and irrecoverable. The resulting pulp is then recycled into new paper products, ensuring both environmental sustainability and complete security. Pulping serves as a critical link in the chain of document destruction, following shredding, to guarantee the safe disposal of sensitive information.

  • Hard Drive Serialization (aka Serialization): The process of recording and tracking the unique serial numbers of hard drives during secure data destruction. This ensures that each drive is individually accounted for throughout the destruction process, providing an added layer of security and traceability. Serialization allows businesses to maintain detailed records for compliance, audits, and reporting purposes, demonstrating that all drives have been properly destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. This service is often included in hard drive destruction programs to offer transparency and peace of mind to clients.