The present disclosure is generally related to an apparatus having cutter elements for destroying articles such as paper sheets and a mechanism for separating at least a sheet from a stack in a tray. A paper feed mechanism feeds paper that is separated from the stack by a stack separation mechanism to the cutter elements. The feed and separation mechanisms can be activated by rotation of the cutter elements. In one embodiment, the stack separation mechanism moves in an alternating manner between retracted and extended positions to disengage and engage and insert the stack to separate (with its edge) paper therefrom to feed to the feed mechanism for shredding. The paper stack separation mechanism can move in an non-undulating manner relative to the stack. A device for stripping stapled pages, a pivotable support plate, and pressure plate can also be used, as well as a number of sensors.