A shedder is disclosed. The shredder includes a waste receptacle that has an interior waste receiving space, and a shredder mechanism that includes a motor and cutter elements. The shredder mechanism is positioned so that shredded articles are discharged downwardly into the waste receiving space. The receptacle includes a waste opening separate from the shredder mechanism for enabling articles to be discarded though the waste opening and received in the waste receiving space without passing through the shredder mechanism. A cover is moveable between a closed position that covers the waste opening, and an open position that opens the waste opening. A sensor for sensing the position of the cover is operatively connected to the shredder mechanism so that the shredder mechanism is inoperable at least when the sensor senses that the cover is in the open position. Other variations and improvements to shredders are also disclosed.