Your members are working hard with the City of London Corporation, the UK Environmental Law Association, and the Legal Sustainability Alliance on removing on-site shredder vans.

The following exchange took place between Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Chris Hayward CC as the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee at Common Council on Thursday, 3 December 2015 (from the minutes of Common Council)

Shredding Vans
Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli asked a question of the Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee concerning the impact of confidential shredding vans operating within the City. In response, the Chairman noted the concerns that had been raised and reassured Members that the issue was being looked at seriously. He advised that a report was being prepared for the Planning and Transportation Committee to enable a full and measured consideration to take place.

The text of the question was:

On-Site Shredder Vans

May I take this opportunity to ask the Chairman of Planning and Transportation about actions which our Committee might take to minimise the environmental effects of on-site shredder vans?  For members who may be unaware of the issue, these vehicles enter the City under contracts to provide on-site document shredding for businesses and professional firms.  The contracts oblige them to shred on-site, ostensibly for security and confidentiality.  These mini-shredding-factories create noise and air pollution while running their engines to power their shredding machines, and are frequently illegally parking.  By allowing this activity, the City imports particulate pollution factories each day.  How might Planning and Transportation help to reduce or remove this activity?