Abstract: A comminuter apparatus for comminuting documents and the like in a manner to prevent their legible reconstruction includes a feed hopper having a closable access opening and a discharge opening such that materials introduced into the hopper pass by gravity to a cutter assembly having driven rough-cut and primary cutter blade groups cooperative with an annular perforated comminuter plate to comminute the material and pass it to a discharge chamber from which it is transferred to a collection receptacle or waste compactor. Numerous features are provided to prevent clogging and insure safe operation.