By Richard Mock
General Manager of Operations & Product Destruction Specialist
When businesses need to dispose of defective, outdated, or regulated products, they turn to assured product destruction to ensure materials are securely and responsibly handled. Whether you’re protecting your brand or complying with environmental regulations, here’s what you need to know.
Understanding the Basics
What is assured product destruction?
Assured product destruction is the secure and confidential disposal of products that should not be sold or distributed in the marketplace. This includes outdated, defective, recalled, counterfeit, or contraband items.
Why would a company need product destruction services?
Companies use product destruction services to protect their brand reputation, prevent liability, and meet regulatory requirements. For example, defective or recalled products—like food products that do not pass safety inspections or expired cosmetics—must be destroyed to avoid harm, lawsuits, or unauthorized resale.
What types of products can be securely destroyed?
Any and all types of products can be securely destroyed, including:
- Consumer goods (e.g., candles, diapers, cigars, food & beverages)
- Hazardous materials (e.g., aerosols, flammables, pesticides)
- Confiscated or counterfeit items (e.g., high-end purses, hydroponic equipment)
- Branded merchandise (e.g., signage, uniforms, packaging)
Security & Compliance
How does Aevitas ensure and prove secure destruction?
Some of the measures Aevitas uses to ensure security and provide documentation, include:
- Manifests to document quantities shipped and received;
- Door seals on trucks, to ensure security during shipment;
- Secure areas for storing products awaiting destruction, with controlled-access to a limited number of carefully-vetted employees;
- Video documentation of the destruction process (upon request); and
- Certificates of product destruction, treatment and/or recycling, as required.
Environmental Responsibility
What is unique about the assured product destruction services that Aevitas provides? Aevitas can provide assured destruction of most types of product. However, the company is uniquely qualified to: (1) handle assured destruction of products classified as hazardous or dangerous, and (2) help companies meet their sustainability goals by not just shredding products and tossing them into landfill but instead separating product components so that they can be recycled or reused. To ensure company anonymity, individual product components are debranded if necessary, and recycled or disposed of in unrecognizable form.
Getting Started: Process, Pricing & Logistics
How do I request a quote or schedule product destruction with Aevitas?
Contact Aevitas via phone or email. A product destruction specialist will:
- Review your product destruction needs and scope of work;
- Design a tailored solution that aligns with your security requirements, any regulatory compliance needs, and your sustainability goals; and
- Provide an assessment and price quote — all at no cost.
The process is simple, quick, and customized to your business.
Are there minimum or maximum volume requirements?
There are no strict minimums or maximums. Aevitas has handled everything from a few boxes of cigars to bulk shipments of confiscated goods.
How quickly can Aevitas complete an assured product destruction job?
Turnaround time depends on the volume and urgency. For sensitive materials, like contraband or recalled goods, destruction can be prioritized and handled immediately if necessary, sometimes with inspectors or agency reps present. Aevitas adapts timelines to meet your needs.
Need Help with Product Destruction?
Whether you’re disposing of hazardous waste, outdated inventory, or brand-name packaging, Aevitas offers secure, compliant, and sustainable destruction solutions tailored to your business. Contact us for a free assessment and quote at 1-800-324-9018 or info@aevitas.ca.
About the Author
Richard Mock is the General Manager of Operations at the Aevitas Industrial Wastewater Division in Brantford, Ontario and developed the company’s Assured Destruction program over 10 years ago. With over 16 years of experience in environmental management, Richard is highly knowledgeable in environmental regulations, wastewater treatment, and secure product destruction processing. He lives in St. George, Ontario, with his wife and daughter, and enjoys giving back to his community by coaching youth hockey.