posted on April 1, 2001 12:57:31 PM
I just spent the last half hour laboriously picking foam packing peanuts out of a large Priority box full of cross-cut shredded paper. I know I didn't HAVE to, but because I believe in recycling and reducing waste in the landfills, I couldn't dump it all in the trash with a clear conscience.
But even without the foam mixed in with the cross-cut shred, the cross-cut paper is a real pain. Think sawdust! It is dense in the package, which weighs more -- which is a concern for buyers considering the high rates for shipping. There is a lot of really fine paper dust in the bottom of the box -- messy, messy! Also it falls all over the carpet and can't be picked up with fingers like larger strips of paper or foam peanuts can be. I don't know about you, but I have enough work to do that I don't appreciate having to get out the vacuum cleaner just because I opened a package.
I realize that sellers will do what they need to do, for packing, but I'd ask you to please consider this... If you must use cross-cut paper for packing, how about pouring it into plastic shopping bags first, then stuffing those around the item being shipped? And please don't mix foam peanuts with shredded paper!
Also, if you are planning on getting a paper shredder, buy the other kind, NOT the cross-cut. Longer strips of paper are springier, which I believe means they also provide better cushioning of the item being shipped. And they are easier to clean up.
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
posted on April 1, 2001 01:03:48 PM
That's a really great idea about bagging the shreddings.
On the other hand, you don't want to buy a strip-cut shredder unless you ONLY use the paper for packing as it is too easy for someone to reconstruct the documents therefore negating the purpose of shredding them.
posted on April 1, 2001 05:03:46 PM
Abacaxi -- LOL! I tend to agree. But I haven't yet attempted to ban my sellers from using it for shipping material. I do make polite requests to please use something with more cushioning ability than ONLY paper. And most of them do wrap my glass in a layer or two of bubble-wrap, which seems to help a lot.
Sharkbaby -- You have a good point in regards to personal security. (Personally, I wouldn't send shredded personal documents as packing material anyhow.) But I doubt that that people are really going to try to put the document back together when the strips are just as narrow as the cross-cut shreds, but are longer (up to 12 inches vs. 2 inches.) I have a non-crosscut shredder, but haven't used shreds for packing material, yet, because I'm lucky enough to have a good source of recycled shipping peanuts or foam rubber that I can use.
Violetta
(Not known by this nickname anywhere but here.)
posted on April 1, 2001 09:49:48 PM
Not long ago there was a bit on television ("The Lone Gunmen" where a document was inadvertently shredded. They picked up all the shred and scanned in all the pieces, then they had some computer software that reassembled the scanned shred images into a document on the screen.
I think the writers were trying to play it as science fiction, but I think it is possible to do that today (and this software may even really exist, who knows)!
Bottom line is, anyone who wants your stuff bad enough, may in fact resort to reassembling your shred, especially if it came from one of those cheapo 1/4" shredders.
where a document was inadvertently shredded. They picked up all the shred and scanned in all the pieces, then they had some computer software that reassembled the scanned shred images into a document on the screen.