shredder

A shredder is a device, machine, or person that breaks material into smaller pieces. In everyday use, it most often refers to a machine that destroys confidential or unwanted materials so the information cannot be recovered. Shredders can also describe individuals who shred or tear objects by hand, or machines designed to reduce waste such as plastic, paper, or textiles.

Paper shredders are common in offices and households. They feed sheets through a slot where blades cut the paper into strips or particles. Security levels range from strip-cut, which produces long ribbons, to cross-cut and micro-cut, which yield smaller pieces for greater confidentiality. Many models include safety features such as auto-reverse to clear jams, a safety interlock with the bin, and overload protection. Industrial and commercial shredders handle large volumes and tougher materials, often using multiple stages, conveyors, or feeders.

Data shredders refer to methods used to permanently delete digital information. Software-based shredders overwrite storage media with patterns of random data or follow recognized standards to prevent data recovery. Hardware-based shredders apply similar principles to hard drives or other devices.

In popular culture, The Shredder is a fictional villain in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Introduced in comic books and expanded through television and films, the character is typically portrayed as a ninja master and adversary of the Turtles.

Shredders are subject to safety and regulatory considerations in workplaces, emphasizing proper use, maintenance, and appropriate security levels for the information involved.