Frequently Asked Questions

Answers You Can Count On

Quick Guide to Frequently Asked Questions

At AMS Store and Shred, LLC we understand that choosing the right document management provider involves trust, clarity, and confidence. That’s why we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our film recycling, silver recovery, shredding, storage, and scanning services. Whether you’re a first-time customer or a long-time client, this page is here to help you better understand our process, policies, and commitment to security.

What type of destruction services do you offer?

AMS offers secure shredding/destruction services for documents, x-ray/NDT radiographic film, mixed media (CDs, DVDs, tapes), hard drives, laptops, servers, small electronics, large electronics (computers, printers, fax machines), textiles, merchandise, license plates, lead aprons, and more.

Do you offer a one-time shredding purge?

Yes. Whether you’re cleaning out an office or disposing of outdated records, AMS offers one-time shredding services for secure document destruction.

Do you offer shredding bins to use on a daily basis?

Yes, we offer a variety of different sized shred bins to keep your documents safe between pickups.

How does your walk-in service work?

Clients can drop off documents or media at our location: 3 Walter Court, Lake in the Hills, IL. Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No appointment necessary.

Do you service both business and residential clients?

Absolutely. We provide shredding services for businesses, individuals, and walk-in customers.

Do you offer on-site shredding?

No, AMS does not offer mobile on-site shredding. We do however offer live shred viewing by appointment only. Plant-based shredding is more secure, environmentally friendly, and efficient. Documents are securely transported, mixed with other documents, and shredded in a controlled environment.

Why should I use your shredding service instead of an office shredder?

  • Ensures full compliance with HIPAA and NAID regulations
  • Reduces human error
  • Saves employee time and improves productivity
  • Environmentally friendly: AMS recycles shredded material
  • Professional, scheduled service with secure chain of custody

How do you charge for shredding?

We charge by container, not by weight. This provides pricing clarity and transparency.

Do you charge a fuel surcharge?

Fuel is already built into the price you receive for service.

Do you charge for a Recycling Recovery Surcharge or Ancillary Fees?

No. Our invoices are straightforward with no unexpected charges.

Why is shredding good for the environment?

Shredding helps reduce landfill waste and preserves natural resources. According to the EPA, recycling one ton of paper saves: 17 trees, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space, 360 gallons of water, 10,400 kilowatts of electricity, 60 pounds of pollutants.

What type of confirmation do I receive once my documents are destroyed?

We provide a Certificate of Destruction for your records after every shredding service.

What industries do you work with?

We serve a wide range of industries including healthcare, legal, education, government, engineering, manufacturing, and more. Everyone needs secure shredding!

How does your film recycling and digitizing program work?

AMS accepts all types of film for NAID AAA Certified destruction and recycling, including x-ray, NDT Radiography, lithographic, dental, microfilm, microfiche, cine, and photographic film. We offer nationwide service via secure shipping or on-site pickup. All film is destroyed prior to recycling.

Do you accept all film types and volumes?

Yes. We handle any volume of film. We can also purge film jackets in accordance with your retention policy or store ineligible inventory securely.

Do you offer a silver rebate?

Yes, silver rebate payments may be available depending on the film’s weight, silver content, and current silver market value.

What types of documents can AMS scan and digitize?

AMS can scan and digitize a variety of records, including paper documents, X-rays, NDT radiographic film, charts, and large-format files. Whether you need archived records or active files converted to digital, we tailor our scanning solutions to meet your specific needs.

How secure is the scanning process?

Security is our top priority. All scanning is done by vetted AMS technicians in our secure facility, which features 24/7 surveillance and key-card access. Digitized files can be delivered through encrypted methods to ensure complete confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and other regulatory standards.

Can AMS help with indexing and organizing digital files?

Yes. AMS offers customized indexing to help organize your digital files by keywords, categories, or client-specific identifiers. This makes your documents easy to search, retrieve, and manage—helping streamline your information workflows and reduce time spent on manual searches.

What types of records can I store at AMS?

AMS securely stores a wide range of physical records, including medical files, radiographic NDT films, legal documents, financial records, personnel files, and more. Whether you need short-term or long-term storage, we provide secure climate-controlled storage that ensures your documents are safe, organized, and easily retrievable when needed.

Can I access my stored records quickly when needed?

Yes. AMS offers fast, secure access to your stored records. Our barcode-tracking system allows us to quickly locate and deliver your files. We can provide same-day or next-day retrieval and delivery options, including digital scan-on-demand services for added convenience.

Can you store my documents before destruction?

Yes. We can securely store your files at our facility until you’re ready for destruction. We’ll pick up your boxes and handle everything when you’re ready.

Is digital delivery available for record storage retrieval requests?

Yes, AMS offers a Scan-On-Demand service. Upon selecting digital delivery (Scan-On Demand), AMS will promptly scan the requested box, file, or even specific document(s) and provide access through a secure, password-protected download link.

How secure is your facility?

AMS operates a highly secure facility in Lake in the Hills, IL. Our site features 24/7 closed-circuit surveillance cameras with a 90-day digital retention system, a key-card monitored alarm system, and strict visitor access protocols. All equipment and containers are barcoded and tracked to ensure full accountability.

Are your service technicians vetted and uniformed?

All AMS service technicians have been vetted with criminal background checks and are drug tested. Security badges and AMS uniforms with our company logo are required to be worn at all times as part of our security policy.

Is your company NAID AAA Certified?

Yes, AMS is NAID AAA Certified and fully compliant with HIPAA and HITECH regulations. This prestigious certification ensures that our document destruction processes meet the highest standards for security and confidentiality.