Better Shred, a business enterprise of CranstonArc, has received its AAA certification for secure document destruction from the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID). NAID is an international trade association for companies providing secure document destruction.

“Better Shred is a member of NAID but becoming NAID certified is voluntary,” said Tom Kane, president and CEO at CranstonArc. “When we made the decision to get into the document destruction business, security and identity protection were top priorities.”

Once the application process is complete, a team of Accredited Certified Protection Professionals (CPP) conducts an audit of the physical plant to ensure that Better Shred meets all of NAID’s protocols and standards.

“As a small local business enterprise, for Better Shred to compete with national companies, it was important for us to set the bar high for Better Shred,” said Jim O’Connor, Better Shred’s general manager. “We want our customers to know that we take protecting their identity and the identity of their customers or clients very seriously.”

The Federal Trade Commission’s Disposal Rule requires companies to properly dispose of consumer reports and information derived from consumer reports. Although the Disposal Rule pertains to consumer reports, the FTC encourages those who dispose of any records containing consumer personal or financial information to take the same protective measures.

Government regulations require the proper disposal of sensitive personal information by way of pulverizing, burning or shredding methods. Better Shred’s state-of-the-art document destruction equipment shreds sensitive documents to 5/16 of an inch, which cannot be reconstructed.

“We pride ourselves on maintaining the highest level of security and professionalism,” Kane said. “We can’t, and won’t, risk the possibility of someone’s identity being compromised on our watch.”

Better Shred is receiving inquiries from individuals on a regular basis looking for a safe place to dispose of their personal documents. Better Shred accommodates individual requests by scheduling appointments for materials to be dropped off at the plant.

“A high-point for using Better Shred is that business is conducted with a local enterprise,” said Kane. “By supporting Better Shred, customers are supporting the programs and services provided by CranstonArc to children and adults in our community with developmental disabilities.”

As an integrated work environment, individuals with developmental disabilities working alongside their non-disabled counterparts gain marketable skills for future employment opportunities.

“Creating business enterprises like Better Shred gives individuals we support viable work experience,” Kane added.

Better Shred is also committed to protecting the environment. To that end, the shredded by-product is baled and recycled for use in other consumable goods.

“With the landfill reaching capacity, recycling this amount of paper will significantly reduce the amount of waste in the landfill,” said Kane. “We are trying to do our part to make a difference in Rhode Island.”

CranstonArc’s long-term goal for establishing business enterprises, like Better Shred, is the potential revenue that will help offset the costs associated with operating the diverse programs and services provided by CranstonArc. Consumers’ support for Better Shred will position CranstonArc to minimize its reliance on government support.

“It won’t happen overnight,” said Kane, “but it is an important first step.”

For more information on Better Shred’s services, contact Better Shred at 877-407-8827, direct at 437-8827 or visit www.bettershredri.com.