Keep Your Confidential Waste Secure with Our Confidential Waste Bins

Keep Your Confidential Waste Secure with Our Confidential Waste Bins

How many headlines have you read about companies or government organisations being fined a fortune because someone left a confidential document on a train, or because information from a confidential dossier was leaked online?

The legal penalties for not properly disposing of confidential waste can be harsh, so you need to do everything you can to make sure your business abides by the strict legislation that’s in place.

So what exactly counts as confidential waste?

Confidential waste is anything with sensitive or personal information on it, and it could be anything from names and addresses to bank details and medical history. Basically, it’s anything that you wouldn’t want someone outside of your business getting their hands on. Examples of confidential waste would be:

• Personnel files
• Financial records like bank statements
• Medical notes and records
• Social care records
• Criminal Records
• ID badges
• Security passes
• Letters and anything else that contains information that could identify a person
• Contracts
• Diaries
• Photographs

The implications of not disposing of confidential waste correctly

The storage and disposal of confidential information was originally governed by the Data Protection Act (last year, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) replaced the Data Protection Act). It was brought into being to control how personal or sensitive information is used by organisations and government bodies. This includes information that is stored on computers or in paper filing systems. The law gives guidance and provides the rules that businesses and the government have to follow when storing and using personal data.

The law is particularly strict when it comes to information about:

• Ethnicity
• Political opinions
• Religious beliefs
• Health
• Sexual life and orientation
• Criminal history

The body that is responsible for breaches is the Information Commissioner’s Office, and they can hand out fines of up to £500,000 to any organisation or business that flouts the rules.

As well as being fined, you can be prosecuted, identities can be stolen, and you’re also opening yourself up to fraud and theft of your intellectual property. It pays to think about the PR nightmare you’d face too; do you think clients and customers would want to do business with a company that can’t keep sensitive information secure?

How can you avoid falling foul of the law?

Every business has records and confidential documentation, and many businesses shred paperwork or use specialist confidential waste disposal companies to get rid of it. This is a good move. But before your paperwork is shredded or collected for recycling, where should you put it?

The best way to keep confidential waste secure is to use confidential waste bins. These bins are lockable so there’s no unauthorised access to the information.

Our confidential waste bins

Our Slim Jim Confidential Paper Bin with Lock (60 Litres) comes with the added security of a lockable lid. Its compact shape will fit almost anywhere and it has an easy-to-use paper slot that works well, even if it’s positioned under a desk. This bin is a secure confidential waste management solution that meets the strict requirements of the law.

This secure, tamper-resistant bin also has all the design features of an ordinary Slim Jim bin, which includes moulded carry handles and easy-to-wipe clean durable plastic that will last for years.

Our Slim Jim Confidential Paper Bin with Lock (87 Litres) is a large Rubbermaid recycling bin which features a paper slot for confidential waste and has a lockable lid. It’s an effective solution that helps you meet the requirements of information management and HIPAA.

This reliable, tamper-resistant bin also provides all the usual high quality design features of a Slim Jim bin like moulded carry handles which make it easier to empty and its wipe clean durable plastic which lasts for years.

Our Meridian Confidential Recycling bin is an everyday essential for businesses and other organisations that work with confidential documents and closed contracts. This recycling bin features a slim aperture with lockable lid to prevent any unauthorised access. Its generous 87- litre capacity is a popular choice for government departments, banks, accounting offices, or schools where substantial amounts of confidential documentation is generated. This recycling bin is manufactured from medium-density polyethylene which requires virtually zero maintenance and is easily kept clean.

If you would like any more information on our confidential waste bins, or any of our other high-quality recycling bins, contact our expert sales team on 01684 292727 or at sales@recyclingbins.co.uk.