How does the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) relate to shredders and shredding?

GDPR requires organisations to apply sound security practices to all electronic and paper-based personal data with respect to its collection, storage, access and disposal. Part of the requirement is to put plans in place for what should happen in the event of a breach. Whilst electronic data security has been prioritised by many organisations for many years, the security of paper based personal data is often neglected or overlooked. Statistics indicate that around 40% of data breaches may be paper based. A clear and firm document shredding policy is required supported by robust GDPR compliance process.

All potentially sensitive information of both a personal and business nature should be disposed of securely to avoid the risk of corporate fraud, identity fraud, industrial espionage and even international espionage – for example, if you are a contractor or supplier to the government, MOD, NATO, etc. Despite a great deal of publicity and adverse headlines, even now, many organisations and individuals still throw out confidential documents without thinking of the potential consequences should the files end up in the wrong hands. Since the Data Protection Act was passed in 1998, companies are obliged to protect hard copies of information on individuals or organisations that could put that person or organisation at risk should the information become public knowledge. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 2018 further increased the responsibility of businesses and organisations to protect the personal data of UK and EU citizens.

Why Oil Your Shredder?

All Paper Shredders need shredder oil to continue to function properly. It is very common for paper dust to build up inside of the cutting assembly. After time, this sediment can become packed together like cement. Oil serves to soften this packed dust, which allows the movement of the cutting head. The proper movement of this head will push the dust out of the paper shredder. The finer the cut the paper shredder makes, the more oil it will need. Small particle cut shredders and high security specification machines require a lot of oil. Paper shredders, as with all electromechanical equipment, will not operate efficiently unless they are properly maintained. Periodic oiling is necessary to allow the shredder to operate at maximum efficiency. Frequency of oiling will vary greatly with the volume of use and the shred size. A shredder with a 5.8mm shred width used only 1 to 2 hours per week will only require a weekly oiling. A crosscut shredder, however, should be oiled every 1/2 hour of shredding time. The procedure for oiling a shredding machine is very simple and can be done by any operator. The oil is either packaged in a squeeze bottle or in pre-impregnated sheets. Always switch the machine off at the mains point before applying liquid oil. Oil from a squeeze bottle can be applied directly onto the cutting head in a fine stream. This is done through the paper entry throat. Take 1-2 seconds to oil from one side of the opening to the other. Run the machine in reverse for about 10-15 seconds to allow the oil to transfer to all parts of the cutting head. The final step is to shred a few sheets of paper to remove any excess oil. Alternatively, impregnated shredder oil sheets can be shredded like an ordinary sheet of paper to apply the oil. Some shredders come equipped with an oil reservoir and apply the oil to the cutters automatically as it is needed. This reservoir should be topped up as and when necessary from a squeeze bottle. Shredder oil is the only lubricant which should be used on your shredder. Shredder oil is of special formulation which leaves no residue on the cutters. Other oils will attract paper dust and in turn clog the cutting head.

HSM shredstar X5 P4 Cross Cut Home Office Shredder, 1043821

HSM SKU: 1043821

filler

HSM shredstar X5 P4 Cross Cut Home Office Shredder.

Roll over image to zoom in

Sheet Capacity - 5. Security Level - P-4. Bin size - 18L. Max. Run-time - 4 minutes. Entry level personal/home office model designed for 1 user. Shreds Paper, Staples, CDs & Credit Card. 2-year warranty.

+ See more products details + See product specifications + See product video

£75.00 Excl. VAT

£90.00 Incl. VAT

Share this product

Free delivery available

most items delivered in 1 to 2 working days.

More Info

Help Advice & Sales Call us on 01225 690700

Payment Method

Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.

HSM ShredStar X5 P4 Cross Cut Home Office Shredder

The HSM ShredStar X5 is a compact, entry-level shredder designed for home offices and personal use. Offering straightforward operation and reliable day-to-day performance, it provides a practical solution for disposing of confidential documents in low-volume environments.

Its compact footprint and quiet operation make it well suited to home workspaces or individual users who need occasional shredding without complexity.

Security Level P4 Cross-Cut Protection

Security level P4 cross cut shredding - ideal for general domestic, commercial, financial, HR, student and patient data, for example.

Suitable for everyday confidential paperwork
Provides a balance between security and shredding speed
Appropriate for personal and home office document disposal

Designed for Home & Personal Use

Ideal for single users or light home office use
Compact design fits easily into smaller spaces
Quiet operation helps minimise disruption in home environments
18L bin capacity suitable for occasional shredding

Flexible Media Shredding

Separate cutting unit for CDs, DVDs and credit cards into strips
Dedicated CD waste container for easier separation and disposal
Also shreds paper and staples

Simple & Reliable Operation

Automatic start/stop via integrated light sensor
Auto-reverse function helps clear paper overloads
Manual reverse button for user control
LED indicators show operating status
Inspection window to monitor bin fill level

This model is best suited to light, occasional shredding rather than continuous or high-volume use.

Warranty & Assurance

2-year warranty

Practical, compact shredding for home use. The HSM ShredStar X5 provides straightforward P4 security for everyday document disposal in personal and home office environments.

Important: Use the Correct Shredder Oil

Each shredder manufacturer carefully formulates or specifies its own lubricant to suit the cutting mechanisms and operating characteristics of its machines. To ensure optimum performance, minimise wear and prolong the life of your shredder, we strongly recommend using only the manufacturer's own-brand shredder oil where lubrication is required.

Please note: Using incorrect, unsuitable or non-approved shredder oil may cause damage to the cutting mechanism and may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty where a fault is attributable to its use.

Product Sku	1043821
Item barcode	4026631057783
Weight	6 kg
Machine warranty	2 years
Cutter warranty	2 years
Duty Cycle	4 minutes
Shred Speed	2.1m/min.
Security Level	P-4
Auto Feed Sheet Capacity	N/A
Sheet Capacity 80gsm	5
Sheet Capacity 70gsm	6
Dimensions H x W x D	385 x 345 x 245mm
Waste Volume	18
Shred Size	4.5 x 30mm
Feed Width	220mm
Duty Cycle Approx	4 minutes
Shred Speed	2.1m/min.
Brand	HSM