Just about every home has paper documents that are too sensitive to simply place in the trash. Instead, these documents need to be shredded to protect personal information. With this in mind, consider how much paper a whole community needs to shred. All that private information is left sitting around residences, and the longer it sits, the longer it can become a liability.
Instead of individual residences taking advantage of mobile shredders and drop off locations to dispose of their records, a much more effective solution to the issue is a community shredding event. This way, a whole neighborhood can securely shred their records in a matter of hours. Shred events are held all over the country to better the local community.
Reasons to Hold a Shredding Event
The main reason shred events are held is to make communities safer. Identity theft is a serious problem that shredding can prevent. However, security is not the sole reason to host a shredding event. Let’s take a look at all the rationales behind community shredding events.
- Security: Shredding events make a community safer. Disposing of sensitive documents decreases the chances of identity theft affecting an entire area.
- Mobile Shred Trucks: Having a shred company come to your neighborhood has plenty of benefits. The shredding is done right in front of you giving you the peace of mind that the job was done properly. Shred trucks also use cross-cut shredding which is much more secure than anything a home shredder could provide.
- Environmentally Friendly: Instead of tossing documents into the trash (which you shouldn’t do anyway), you can have your paper shredded and recycled. Most shredding companies bale the paper bits then send them to a recycling company.
- Convenience: Shred events make document destruction easy. All you have to do is drop off your paper at the event and go on with your day. You don’t have to schedule a shredding company to come to your residence either.
- Supporting Local Charities: Many shredding events benefit local charities and nonprofits. Instead of paying a small fee for shredding, a company may request a donation to a local organization.
There’s a lot more to shredding events than just security though. They make it easy for everyone in a neighborhood to get their shredding done in a way that not only helps save them money, but also benefits the environment and the community too. An entire community can benefit greatly from one of these events.
Identity Theft and Shredding Events
Homes are the perfect target for those looking to steal someone’s identity. A thief doesn’t even need to enter your residence to get this information. Thieves can find the information they need by going through your mail, or simply going through the trash. In fact, trash picking is legal in all 50 states.
Despite all this though, it is incorrect to assume your home is defenseless against identity thieves. Instead, one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft is shredding.
A community shredding event ensures everyone in an area has access to high-quality paper shredding—not just a few residences. This means a whole neighborhood can be safer and better protected from identity theft. Not to mention eliminating the hassles of transporting your paperwork across town, or buying a shredder yourself.
How to Find a Shredding Event Near You
Now that we’ve discussed all of the benefits to a shredding event, you may be wondering how to find one in your community.
Considering how many local organizations and businesses choose to host shredding events throughout the year, there’s bound to be an event in your area. A common place to look is your neighborhood newsletter or the city calendar.
Local police departments or other government agencies may offer shredding events. Many businesses like banks or churches will also hold these sort of events in their parking lots. These events are meant to be held in large, accessible, communal places so everyone in the area can take advantage of the shredding.
Before going to an event, there are a few details you should be aware of. First off, check to see if there is a paper limit. Some events have a per-person limit. You should also know beforehand whether the service is free or whether it requires a small fee or donation to a local charity.
Interested in Hosting a Shredding Event? See how Shred Nations can Help
If a shredding event does not seem quite right for you, don’t worry—Shred Nations partners with a nationwide network of contractors who can help you find solutions with all your shredding needs. For more information on hosting your own shredding event or any of our shredding services, give us a call at (800) 747-3365, fill out the form, or contact us directly using our live chat.
