Data carrier and
file destruction

Every year, countless tons of sensitive data and files accumulate in Europe that must be securely destroyed to avoid data protection risks. CUTMETALL products enable data and file destruction systems to be made more efficient and ensure reliable destruction that meets the highest security standards.

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Reliable safety

CUTMETALL has the right blades, blade holders, and screens for every input material, so you can find the optimal solution for every application. All parts from a single source!

Robust cutting crowns
for maximum efficiency

Our cutting crowns, made from particularly hard materials, ensure longer cutting cycles. This means greater efficiency and a longer service life for your machines.

Durable screens for
consistent output

CUTMETALL screens made of hardened Hardox steel are more robust and durable than conventional alternatives. This results in longer service life and higher throughputs – a clear advantage for your business.

Perfect adaptation
to your input material

CUTMETALL has the right blades, blade holders, and screens for every input material, so you can find the optimal solution for every application. All parts from a single source!

Efficient solutions for file and data carrier recycling

Companies must destroy sensitive data in accordance with the law. This poses challenges for recyclers: strict data protection requirements, varying material hardnesses, and high machine wear make the process difficult.

CUTMETALL offers customized wear and replacement parts for the safe and efficient shredding of paper files, hard drives, CDs, and storage media. Our solutions ensure:

Resistant cutting tools for various materials
Optimized machine performance thanks to durable components
Reduced maintenance costs and extended service life
Efficient and legally compliant data destruction

With CUTMETALL, you can increase the process reliability and cost-effectiveness of your recycling plants. Let our experts advise you!

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A white laptop on a gray surface, next to it several USB sticks, SD cards, and adapters.

An insight into the process of data carrier and document destruction

A picture full of shredded paper. Some pieces of paper are white or yellow.

Acceptance and preparation

Safe handling of sensitive data must be ensured right from the moment it is received and prepared.

Ein Datenträger wird von einer Maschine zerteilt. Dabei sprühen helle Funken.

Shredding

Data misuse is prevented with the help of precise industrial knives and shredders from CUTMETALL.

Mountains of shredded files and paper. Behind them, a cloudy sky.

Processing and recycling

CUTMETALL technologies enable effective processing of shredded materials for recycling, thereby increasing sustainability.

Close-up of paper scraps in a paper shredder.

What does file and data carrier destruction mean?

File and data carrier destruction refers to the process of securely and permanently destroying both physical documents and digital data carriers. It is a central component of the circular economy. This type of recycling not only protects sensitive data in our society and helps to comply with legal requirements, but also creates space in offices and archives. It also contributes to reducing waste and supports the environmentally friendly recycling of used materials.

What are the challenges involved in document and data carrier destruction?

The destruction of files and data carriers faces various challenges, particularly with regard to the requirements of the German Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act (KrWG). This law requires that raw materials be recycled as much as possible—whether it be paper from analog file folders or valuable materials such as polycarbonate from CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, as well as rare raw materials in USB sticks and hard drives.

In practice, however, it is challenging to completely separate these materials before shredding. Often, non-homogeneous material enters the shredder, leading to premature wear of the blades and blade holders. This, in turn, causes frequent and costly component replacements.

In addition, increasingly stringent data protection regulations must be observed. Recyclers therefore often offer special security containers to protect data from different companies during the disposal process. Furthermore, there are various standards and security levels for the destruction of paper documents and data carriers, which must also be complied with to ensure legally compliant and secure disposal.

Piles of rubbish under a gloomy, cloudy sky.

A large pile of electronic waste containing heat sinks, circuit boards, fans, and various electronic components.

What are typical problems associated with file and data carrier destruction?

Typical problems

Pre-sorting of materials

Careful pre-sorting is essential in order to efficiently extract the raw materials from the various data carriers such as paper, hard drives, and optical media. Without this pre-sorting, the variety of materials to be destroyed can place a heavy strain on the cutting units of the machines.

Increased wear

If harder input material than expected enters the shredder, this leads to increased wear on the shredding parts. Over time, cutting crowns can break due to the strain, resulting in costly repairs and downtime.

Damage caused by metal parts

Metal parts in file folders or data carriers can damage the shredder if they are not removed beforehand.

Inconsistent output

Standard screens made of normal steel often do not deliver a consistent output. However, a consistent output is crucial to ensure that the shredded documents cannot be reconstructed, as required by DIN standards for secure document and data carrier destruction.

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What happens if data carrier and file destruction fails?

When destroying data carriers and files, it is crucial that all sensitive information is completely and irrevocably destroyed. If destruction fails, there are clear procedures in place: the affected materials are immediately destroyed again, quality controls and random checks verify the processes, and errors are documented. If necessary, the incident is reported and analyzed to improve the process. The material is stored securely until it is destroyed again, and staff are regularly trained to avoid such errors.

A rotating cutting disc cuts through a hard disk while sparks fly.

A chaotic pile of electronic waste with old keyboards, cables, circuit boards, screens, and other electronic components.

Germany vs. USA

When comparing file and data carrier destruction in Germany and the US, there are a few important differences: Regulatory framework: In Germany, strict data protection laws such as the GDPR provide clear guidelines for the secure destruction of sensitive data. In the US, there is no uniform national regulation. Laws such as HIPAA and FACTA only apply to certain sectors, resulting in less uniform regulations.

Destruction standards: Germany has very high standards, often based on DIN 66399, which defines various security levels. In the US, the level varies, with NAID certification being widespread but not mandatory across the board.

Responsibility: In Germany, companies have a greater obligation to prove that data has been destroyed securely. In the US, companies have more responsibility and the documentation requirements are less strict.

Outsourcing vs. in-house: In Germany, destruction is usually outsourced to specialized and certified service providers. In the US, there are both outsourcing and in-house solutions, depending on the size and structure of the company.

Environmental aspects: Germany attaches great importance to environmentally friendly disposal and recycling of materials. In the US, environmental aspects are also taken into account, but are often less strictly regulated.

Technological status: Germany often uses state-of-the-art technologies for destruction, such as sophisticated shredders. In the US, there is a wider range of methods, from state-of-the-art facilities to simpler solutions.

Awareness of data security: In Germany, awareness of data protection is generally high among the population and in companies. Awareness is also growing in the US, but is often less pronounced than in Germany.

Overall, Germany has stricter and more uniform standards for document and data carrier destruction, while practices in the US can vary more widely. However, both countries are increasingly recognizing the importance of secure and efficient destruction methods.