FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We get lots of questions, so to save you some time, we've listed a few of the most commonly asked questions along with our answers. If you have additional questions that you need answers to, please contact our Destruction Staff at
1-800-225-9293 or E-mail them at Destruction@semshred.com
What does SEM destroy?
- Computer Hard Drives Books & Bound Documents
- Capsules & Tablets
- Cell Phones and Blackberrys
- Circuit Boards
- Data Cartridges & Tapes
- Plastic Bottles & Tubes
- Returned/Off-Spec/Obsolete Products
- Expired Inventory & Much More We Quote all product destruction
How does SEM destroy these items?
- Magnetic Degaussing ~ Data is “wiped” away from magnetic media using powerful magnets. This type of destruction is ideal for Hard Drives, Backup Tapes, Audio/Video Tapes etc…
- Media Declassification ~ The physical removal of data bearing surfaces from optical media by mechanical means. This type of destruction is ideal for CD-Rom, CD-R, CD-RW and DVD’s
- Shredding ~ Massive shredders reduce waste to 1” wide pieces at random lengths, rendering them non-usable and un-re-constructible. This type of destruction is ideal for CPU’s, Hard Drives, Electronic Devices, Off-Spec Product, Expired Inventory, Returned Goods, and Pharmaceuticals.
- Disintegration ~ The physical destruction of media by means of a rotary knife mill. Media is continuously cut until it is reduced down to a tiny particle. This type of destruction is ideal for Hard Drives, Backup tapes, Audio/Video Tapes, CD-Rom, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD’s, Flash Media, Cell Phones and PDA’s
How will I get my material to your secure destruction facility?
We have various options for our customer’s needs to get your materials safely to our facility. For our National Customers, SEM has several secure transportation options that provide bonded door-to-door service that is 100% traceable. Data is safely transported in a locked military transport case. You can choose from standard shipping, expedited shipping, sir freight or even a White Glove Service that provides you with a Dedicated Driver and GPS Tracking on the truck. SEM will make sure your materials are safe from your door to ours. If your materials are already boxed up you can ship the materials directly to us or we can pick the boxes up for you. For our local customers, we have a fleet of trucks to pick up items at customer locations. One of our destruction specialists can help you determine which transportation option best meets your destruction requirements.
Does SEM have a Chain of Custody Program in place?
Prior to shipping materials, a Letter of Intent would be sent over to customer, indicating the potential contents of materials being sent to SEM for destruction. Once the materials have been received at SEM’s Destruction Facility in Westboro, MA the counts and/or weights will be verified and the Letter of Intent will be faxed back to the customer with SEM’s sign off. This indicates SEM‘s acceptance of said materials and transfers liability for the purpose of destruction.
Where is my material stored while waiting to be destroyed?
From the moment your items enter our facility 100% secure. They are immediately labeled, logged into our database and placed in a locked cage within our destruction room. The destruction room is secured via the PalmSecure™ Biomentric Authentication System. Only authorized personnel, who have been through a rigorous background check, have access to the facility. Reporting software provides complete data on an individual’s time of entry and time of exit. IP based cameras track activity 24/7. Destruction is carried out within 48 hours of entering our facility.
How do I know my material has been destroyed?
Upon completion of the destruction process, SEM will issue you an executed Certificate of Destruction and Asset Disposition documentation when applicable for your files that will outline the types of media destroyed, the method of destruction and the date of destruction. This will come with a copy of your invoice in the mail.
Can I witness the destruction of my material?
Local customers are welcome to visit our destruction viewing theater and witness their destruction in person. For our national customers, we have installed IP Based Security Cameras for real time observation and outside verification of the destruction process from anywhere on the planet. Upon the customer’s request, we will also supply you with a DVD recording of your destruction at no additional cost.
How do I know my end waste won’t end up in a landfill?
SEM is an ISO 14001 Registered Facility and only one in the security industry that is dedicated to our Environmental Responsibility. SEM prides itself on our compliance with ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Standards. SEM is the only data destruction company listed on GSA to be ISO 14001 Registered. This means we strive for 0% landfill waste by reusing or recycling all destroyed items. All destroyed paper is recycled through our recycling partner for further processing. All destroyed electronics are also recycled, with the precious and usable metals & plastics removed from the waste and the remainder of waste disposed of to meet all Environmental Protection guidelines and green law regulations.
How do I know my data will not be compromised while in SEM custody?
All SEM destruction service personnel undergo a rigorous screening process and background checks to meet cleared federal government regulations. This process has been implemented to ensure that your data is never compromised. To further protect your data, we limit the number of authorized personnel who can access our destruction facility. All employees are uniformed and display photo identification at all times.
What type of equipment is used during the destruction?
The equipment in our destruction facility is the envy of the industry. It includes shredders, degaussers, and disintegrators. All of the equipment used for destruction has been evaluated and approved by the National Security Agency NSA/CSS 02-01, 02-02, and EPL-9-12A-D. Some equipment has and is used by all government agencies today.
Is there any monetary recycling value on my electronic waste?
The recycling value of metals fluctuates daily just as any other commodity market. SEM is committed to recycling our end waste ensuring it does not end up in a landfill. For customers with large volumes of Hard Drives and Circuit Boards, SEM has a Recycling Rebate program in place. The SEM Recycling Rebate program is for volumes exceeding 15,000 lbs. of destroyed material at one time. This material is stored in our recycling staging area until our volume reaches a reasonable amount to send out to our Recycler. Once the material has been processed, the customer will receive a percentage of the recycling value from their tonnage.
What forms of payment does SEM accept for their secure destruction service?
SEM accepts all major credit cards and also has programs in place to handle the limits of government IMPAC cards. SEM Destruction Service terms are “due upon receipt”. SEM has experience with contract agreements as well as Blanket Purchase Orders.
How do I order and schedule my destruction service?
SEM has a well trained staff available at our Corporate Headquarters in Westborough, MA. You can contact them at 800-225-9293, then select option “4” or simply E-mail us at Destruction@semshred.com.
