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The 2010 Shredding Industry is Going Green

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building rating system which was created by the US Green Building Council. The system sets the standard for green infrastructure in North America. LEED establishes what the upcoming building trends are. This in turn determines what the areas of concentration will be for the building community. In 2010 LEED plans to introduce new green building practices which have the potential to shape the entire shredding industry. This article will outline what these standards are, how they will affect the shredding industry and what businesses can do to prepare.

In the upcoming year the US Green Building Council will be focusing on energy efficiency. In 2009 a stipulation requiring buildings to submit energy records was added to LEED. The ambition was to turn the information into a rating system in 2010. The system would challenge applicants to achieve a specific level of energy efficiency. This would reduce the actual amount of energy used in North American infrastructure.

This new stipulation will dramatically affect the shredding industry. As companies monitor their energy consumption they will cut back on unnecessary energy uses. One obvious choice for energy reduction will be outsourcing the shredding of sensitive documents. In order to conserve energy companies will replace in house shredding machines with shredding service providers. This will develop lucrative business opportunities for those within the shredding industry.

The New York City Council is among several who are supporting the upcoming LEED standard. The council is in the process of implementing a new energy law. The law requires a reduction in energy consumption for large buildings throughout the city. Auditors will be dispatched to monitor the energy consumption levels. Fines will also be given to those who fail to comply.

Also on the horizon for 2010 are several new LEED compliant government and commercial construction initiatives. The largest among these is the Starbucks Coffee Company. Starbucks plans to achieve LEED certification for all new company-owned stores worldwide beginning in late 2010. There are also many other buildings expected to emerge next year designed to comply with the environmental rating system. The construction is aimed at providing customers with green products in green buildings.

This new infrastructure will impact the shredding industry. More and more consumers will being requesting future friendly shredding services. Among these demands will be green shredding consoles and electric mobile shredding trucks. The goal being that services using these items will help them achieve LEED points. If the industry meets the demand a new larger market will become available. This will revitalize the shredding industry and reduce its impact on the environment.

Shredding companies can prepare for the upcoming green industry by making equipment investments which comply with LEED. For example, purchasing shredding consoles which contain a minimum of 35% recycled content, are 100% recyclable and formaldehyde free. Products containing these qualities will give a shredding business the advantage needed to succeed. Also, purchasing products manufactured in North America can prepare a company for the upcoming green industry. Local products use less fuel to transport and are manufactured using fewer toxins than those found overseas.

In conclusion, as the market goes green so to must the businesses within it. 2010 brings with it dramatic changes to way in which consumers interact with shredding companies. As the demand for environmentally friendly materials and services increase providers must take an active role in fulfilling it.

Sources: Cheatham, C. (2009). Trends. Retrieved December 04, 2009, from Green Building Law Update: www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com