On-Site vs Off-Site Data Destruction: Which Is Right for Your Organization?
Both options include
Choose on-site data destruction if drives can’t leave your building or you need to witness the shredding. Choose off-site if a documented chain of custody meets your requirements and you’d rather not host a shred job.
Both on-site and off-site data destruction with eWaste Solutions are done securely. With either service, you receive a Certificate of Destruction, verifying the data was destroyed. A serialized list may also be provided if you choose to add it.
The level of oversight your organization requires before or during the data destruction process will help you determine whether on-site or off-site data destruction is right for your organization. This article compares the two services, and gives you a quick way to decide.
What On-Site Data Destruction Looks Like
With on-site data destruction, eWaste Solutions brings our shredding truck to you. We park either at your loading dock or in your parking lot and shred all drives at your location, before they leave your property. A member of your team can observe the process in person from a safe distance, or we can record the data destruction on video for viewing at a later time.
With our shredder built into the back of our truck, it runs on the truck's own generator, so there's no need for us to connect to anything at your building. Based in Plymouth, MA, eWaste Solutions provides on-site data destruction across the Greater Boston and New England area, as well as in New York and New Jersey.
Your Options with an On-Site Job
- Add Serialization. Serialization is an option for either on-site or off-site data destruction. Many clients serialize their own equipment ahead of time, and we cross-check against their list as we scan.
- Observe in Person. You can come into the truck and watch each drive go into the shredder from a safe distance.
- Choose a Video Recording. The data destruction is filmed, and you get a copy of the video, so you have proof of our 7-step on-site shred for your records, even if you can't stay to watch.
- Leave with Proof. You leave with your serialized list and video, if your job includes them. You receive a Certificate of Destruction after the job is processed. All of the shredded material leaves with us and is recycled at our Plymouth, MA facility.
When Off-Site Data Destruction Makes Sense
With off-site data destruction, all equipment is collected and tracked from pickup to destruction at our Plymouth, MA facility, under a documented Chain of Custody. You also receive a Certificate of Destruction with this service.
Your Options with an Off-Site Job
- Large or Mixed Loads. Clients choose off-site data destruction when there is a large or mixed load, such as hard drives, laptops, servers and other electronics.
- Regular or Recurring Disposal Needs. If you dispose of equipment regularly, scheduled pickups are simpler than hosting repeated shred jobs.
- Limited Space. If you have limited space at your site, off-site data destruction is a convenient choice.
Side-by-side Comparison
| On-Site Data Destruction | Off-Site Data Destruction | |
|---|---|---|
| Where are the drives destroyed? | At your location, before they leave your property | At our secure processing facility in Plymouth, MA |
| Can you watch? | Yes, in person | Not in person; you rely on records |
| What is the transport risk? | None, since drives are destroyed before they leave your property | Managed through Chain of Custody controls |
| What does a client need on site? | Room for a truck at your dock or in your lot | Equipment ready for pickup |
| Best fit | Highly sensitive data, regulated sectors, strict internal policies | Routine disposal, larger mixed loads, recurring pickups |
| What proof is received? | Certificate of Destruction; serialized list if added; video recording (optional) | Chain of Custody; Certificate of Destruction; serialized list if added |
How to Choose
Choose on-site if
Drives can't leave your building
Your policy, contracts or regulators don't allow intact drives to leave your building, or you want to see the destruction yourself.
Choose off-site if
Chain of Custody is enough
A documented Chain of Custody meets your requirements, and you'd rather not host a shredding job at your site.
Questions to Ask Any Vendor, On-Site or Off-Site
- Are you R2v3 certified in your own name, or do you rely on a partner's certification?
- Can you provide a serialized list of the drives destroyed, or cross-check against ours?
- Can we witness the data destruction? If we can't be there, what record do we get?
- What does your Certificate of Destruction include?
eWaste Solutions is R2v3 and RIOS certified in our own name, at our own facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We're registered with the U.S. State Department's DDTC under ITAR (M-53509), and we're a NAID (i-SIGMA) member.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on-site shredding?
On-site shredding is when eWaste Solutions brings our mobile shredder to your location, fully destroying your drives on site before they leave your property.
Can we watch our drives being destroyed?
Yes. You can come into the truck and watch from a safe distance. With our 7-step on-site shred, the job is also filmed and you get a copy of the video.
How much does on-site shredding cost?
Pricing varies and is quoted individually. Request a Quote.
Do you destroy SSDs on site?
Yes. Our on-site shredder handles both hard drives and solid-state drives.
Does on-site data destruction make us compliant with HIPAA, DFARS, FACTA or GLBA?
A vendor cannot make you compliant on its own. However, witnessed data destruction and a Certificate of Destruction, plus a serialized list, if you choose one, all support your compliance by documenting how your data-bearing devices were destroyed.
Learn more about our on-site data destruction service.
Ready to schedule
on-site data destruction?
Contact eWaste Solutions or call 781-924-3071 with the approximate quantity of drives you have and where they're located, and we'll quote your job.