Data security is a top priority for everyone nowadays — from corporations large and small, across industries, and even on an individual level — and we’re all concerned about keeping our private information away from unauthorized eyes. But as we become more aware of our environmental impact, it’s important to ask ourselves: how can we protect our data while also protecting the planet?

At Security Engineered Machinery, we believe that security shouldn’t come at the cost of the environment. That’s why we’ve developed high security, eco-friendly data destruction solutions that prioritize both data security and sustainability.

HEPA Filtration

Traditional methods of data destruction, such as incineration and shredding, often involve high energy consumption and produce harmful emissions, affecting not only individuals but all lifeforms. The remnants of these destroyed devices, such as hard drives and solid-state drives, can contribute to electronic waste (or e-waste), which is a major environmental concern.

In order to mitigate the amount of harmful e-waste that is released during the destruction of hard drives, solid-state drives, and other data storage devices, we have equipped our HDD, SSD, and combo solutions with advanced HEPA filtration systems. These filtration systems capture the harmful particles and emissions that are released during destruction, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere and enhancing air quality.

HEPA filtration not only protects the environment but also ensures a safe work environment for our operators.

Briquette Recycling Solution

When it comes to destroying high-security data, whether it be on HDDs, SSDs, paper, or other data storage devices, it can get messy fast. As we’ve discussed, particles and e-waste can make their way into the air, compromising the health of operators. Not to mention, when it comes to paper, most recycling companies have a difficult time managing the waste due to its small size. The current NSA-mandated final particle size for paper destruction is 1mm x 5mm.

To combat this, our engineers designed a high-capacity briquetting system to accompany our large, high-security paper disintegrators, significantly enhancing the efficiency of your paper disintegration process.

Our briquetting systems compress the disintegrated paper waste into dense, manageable briquettes (or “pucks”), achieving a 90% reduction in waste volume. Since they are simply produced by compressed air and don’t involve any binding agents, they are also 100% recyclable. This drastic decrease in waste not only provides our customers with a high-security document destruction solution but also one that won’t end up in landfills.

This zero-landfill approach not only aligns with green initiatives but also reinforces your organization’s (and SEM’s) commitment to environmental responsibility. By integrating our branding systems into your waste management strategy, you can confidently promote your business as a leader in sustainable practices within the high-security sector.

Standard Outlet Power 

In the United States, most homes, businesses, and appliances utilize 120V power. Standard 120V outlets typically draw less power than industrial-grade outlets, which are often required for traditional data destruction equipment, which is why we at SEM have developed a diverse range of high-security solutions that run on a standard 120V outlet. This accessibility not only simplifies the setup process for many of our customers, but also makes our solutions more versatile across different environments.

By operating on a lower voltage, our machines consume less energy, leading to significant reductions in overall power usage. Lower energy consumption directly translates to a smaller carbon footprint. By designing our machines to operate efficiently on 120V outlets, we’re not just making data destruction safer and more secure—we’re also making it greener.

Model 1201CC: Oil-Less Paper Shredder

The Model 1201CC is quite the revolutionary high-security paper shredder. This solution is widely utilized within the Foreign Service and Intelligence Community, as it has been evaluated and listed by the NSA Evaluated Products List for Paper Shredders. The Model 1201CC is equipped with an energy-saving mode that turns the machine off when it is not running and can be plugged in to a standard 120V outlet, providing more energy efficiency. What sets this solution apart from other high-security paper shredders is that it is the only shredder to be evaluated and listed by the NSA for use without oil.

In addition to being oil-less, the Model 1201CC features a specially designed cutting head that can be fully replaced in-house within 20 minutes or less. This feature allows for significantly lower long-term ownership costs and waste, further reducing your carbon footprint.

Conclusion

At SEM, we are committed to further advancing the field of high-security data destruction, so you shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to your data security and environmental responsibility. 

We are proud of the fact that we can offer eco-friendly and sustainable, high-security data destruction solutions that meet the needs of our environment. By choosing a SEM high-security solution, you’re not only safeguarding your data but also contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.

Learn more about our sustainable practices by watching our latest video on our eco-friendly data destruction solutions in action.

You can hear more about SEM’s sustainable high security data destruction solutions from Todd Busic, Vice President of Sales.