I use a paper shredder for my cockroach, but not newspaper as it has ink in it. When we had gerbils we would clean out their tank completely once a week and then add one or two cup holder cartons from Burger King, the gerbils were allergic to most of the store bought beddings. They had the cartons shredded into bedding within the hour and nobody was allergic. Not only was it cheaper and didn't cause allergy problems, but they got a good amount of activity doing so and also kept their teeth at a good length. Gerbils are not the cleanest animals either and if you are so disgusted by an animal going in their cage and in their tunnels and houses I would recommend a stuffed animal as their is no care needed.