The Japanese Taryu 2 shreds paper effectively and economically.

So Glen did his research and purchased the Taryu 2, a smart-looking economical six-sheet shredder, one that shredded and then cross-shredded. This special function ensured that documents and papers could never be pieced back together. For the money he spent on this small business tool, it was a very impressive little piece of equipment indeed.

Glen carefully set aside a nice spot for his new paper shredder right next to his desk. He tucked away the power cord, and turned on the little machine, which started up with a very quiet whir. Glen nodded approvingly, feeling very satisfied with this little Japanese model.

He looked around the room, but there didn't appear to be anything available to shred. It seemed his wife Adrienne had already recycled all the newspapers, magazines, and mail advertisements.

Glen considered for a moment. Most of his business transactions were done through e-mail and online electronic transactions. All of his company faxes came directly to his PC. He had an Epson laser printer, but he never printed any business documents because they always got sent as attached files to his customers and vendors. And although his invoicing was done through a commercial software program, he always gave his accountant the ledgers on a diskette or a CD.

Essentially, Glen was running a paperless office.

So he looked around the office more intently for something to shred. His waste paper basket contained only bits of cellophane and the remains of a McDonald's cheeseburger--not even the wrapper was left. His filing cabinet held nothing but a few stacks of blank DVDs and some miscellaneous computer parts. Glen had a couple of twenties in his wallet, but he quickly dismissed that as a very silly and expensive idea.

Finally, after considering the rationale behind his tax deductible business purchase, Glen shredded the only paper-printed item he could think of...the English instructions sheet for his new paper shredder.