Do I Need to Shred Receipts?

In This Post:

• When to Shred Receipts
• Alternatives to Paper Receipts
• When You Shouldn’t Shred
• Secure Shredding in Maryland, Virginia, & DC with TrueShred

You get all kinds of receipts whenever you spend money on something. When these papers already take up too much space in your wallet, you might wonder if you should be shredding them. At its core, shredding receipts is more than a matter of convenience — it’s a critical step in securing your financial privacy.

At TrueShred, we take security seriously. The secure destruction of receipts and other sensitive materials is the main objective of our business. While shredding these financial documents is pivotal, there are instances when you need to keep them for some time. Find out the general receipt guidelines for keeping and shredding these documents.

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When to Shred Receipts

It’s particularly important to pursue shredding or other safe forms of disposal for specific types of receipts. For example, medical receipts are almost more of an account statement than a receipt. Dispose of these documents that contain information like your address, legal name, or account balances. In addition, try not to shred receipts for anything you might need or want to return. Hold on to those until you are sure you are going to keep the purchase.

If you have the time and inclination to shred or tear up your store receipts at the end of the day, week, month, or quarter, you certainly should, even if it’s just for peace of mind.

Caveat: Don’t shred receipts for anything you might need or want to return—hold on to those until you are sure you are going to keep the purchase.

Note: Thermal paper (which is what most receipts are printed on) is NOT recyclable! In fact, the chemicals used to bond the ink to the paper are toxic and can contaminate the recycling stream. If you shred thermal paper receipts, toss out the shreds.

Alternatives to Paper Receipts

In modern times, many prefer to receive their receipts electronically when they can. Retailers are giving customers the option to have their receipts emailed to them. Choosing electronic receipts means handing over your email address to a big company, but remember that you can always unsubscribe if they start sending you unwanted emails.

When an electronic receipt isn’t an option, you can still keep your wallet or purse mostly clear of receipts. Take a photo of the receipt before discarding it, or use an app to keep track of your receipts and expenditures. Some people like personal finance programs with many features, while others prefer simple apps tracking spending.

Get more tips on what to shred and what to keep!

When You Shouldn’t Shred

Are there situations where you should maintain receipts? In many cases, you need to keep receipts for one year, especially for warranty purposes. Secure receipts where you need proof of purchase from a business or similar service for reimbursement. Papers for taxes are wise to keep around, too, if you intend to claim deductible purchases. Hold onto receipts when they represent proof of something you have done, purchased or made good on a payment.

Secure Shredding in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. with TrueShred

Count on TrueShred for a secure shredding process from start to finish. Our team follows a strict chain of custody during the shredding process to protect you from identity theft and other security risks. With our secure bins and consoles and on-site service, you can trust us to shred financial documents and other crucial papers safely and efficiently. Contact us anytime online, or request pricing for our services.

You can contact TrueShred any time online, or give us a call at (888) 750-8783!