Protecting your identity is important, and one of the best ways to do it is by shredding your old documents, so I like knowing where free paper shredding events near me are happening. Anything with identifying information, like tax documents, medical forms, or credit card statements, should be securely destroyed by yourself or an organization you trust.
DIYing it is great, but if you’re anything like me, shredding old documents is a chore you procrastinate. Before you know it, you’ve got a pile of papers a mile high, and shredding them all yourself is just too much to handle.
In these cases, you can find free paper shredding events near you. When you bring your documents to these usually community-based events, you’ll be able to offload the chore onto professionals without spending a dime.
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How do I find free paper shredding events near me?
The most common time of year that you’ll see free paper shredding events pop up in your community is in the spring, usually right near tax filing day. The second most popular time is the fall, though if you search hard enough, you may be able to find events throughout the year.
To find free paper shredding events, check with your county or municipality, as these things are usually organized on the local level. You can also find free paper shredding events at select credit unions and other community organizations.
TIP: Staples will sometimes list a coupon for five pounds of free shredding with each visit, but the promo isn’t always up and running.
Related: Check out our favorite Tax Day Freebies & Deals
Free Paper Shredding Events Near Me by State
Alabama
On April 14, 2023, you can catch a free shredding event at the Homewood Public Library. You can bring up to two boxes, and for a small extra fee, you may be able to recycle some electronics.
Alaska
Spirit of Alaska Federal Credit Union usually runs a free paper shredding event once in the spring and once in the fall.
Arizona
Check out I Recycle Phoenix events to shred up to five boxes of documents for free. Usually these events start in the fall, run through the winter, and have one final day in the spring. The last event for the 2022 – 23 season is April 8, 2023, at Happy Valley Towne Center.
Arkansas
Keep Sherwood Beautiful usually runs at least one free shredding event in the spring and fall. You can bring up to five boxes to be shredded for free, with the next event happening on April 22, 2023.
California
Athens Services in Azusa, California runs a slew of Spring Cleaning events, from electronics recycling to free mulch days to — you guessed it! — free paper shredding events. You can bring up to five boxes to the Shred-a-Thon at Azusa Light & Water on April 29, 2023.
Colorado
In Jefferson County, Colorado, you can expect free paper shredding events at the Sheriff’s Office’s three locations every May and October.
Connecticut
The Refuse Disposal Division in Glastonbury offers free paper shredding events throughout the year, limited to two bags or boxes of documents per person. You can find the next one on May 6, 2023.
Delaware
The Delaware Solid Waste Authority makes it super easy for you to get free paper shredding services throughout the year. There’s one set day every month depending on which part of the state you live in, plus there are additional Saturday shredding events throughout the year. You can bring in up to two boxes of paper.
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. also makes it easy to access free paper shredding services throughout the year! You can bring up to five boxes to the Benning Road Transfer Station on the first Saturday of every month.
Florida
There’s no shortage of community organizations in Northwest Florida that offer free paper shredding events in the spring. You can find all the upcoming events in the region rounded up via UltraShred Technologies.
Georgia
Bring up to five boxes of paper to St. Andrews in the Pines Episcopal Church in Peachtree City, Georgia on April 29, 2023.
Hawaii
The AARP Hawaii Shred Event at Hilo High School is free, but you do have to register to reserve your spot. This event is happening on April 29, 2023.
Idaho
Catch Shred Fest at Idaho Spine & Sports Physical Therapy in Boise. The event is happening on April 21, 2023, and is limited to five boxes per person.
Illinois
Midway Document Destructions partners with community organizations to hold free shredding events in neighborhoods throughout the city of Chicago throughout the year. You can find the most up-to-date information on their events calendar.
Indiana
The community shreds and electronics recycling day at the Indianapolis Public Library is happening on May 13, 2023.
Iowa
Veridian Credit Union hosts free shred events at their locations across the state of Iowa. These events are concentrated in the spring and fall months.
Kansas
In the Kansas City region, ProShred works with community organizations across the state border line to host free paper shredding events throughout the spring. There’s one in Leawood sponsored by the City of Overland Park on April 22, 2023.
Kentucky
Lexington’s Waste Management division regularly hosts free shredding events once in the spring and once in the fall. The next one is on May 20, 2023.
Louisiana
The City of New Orleans tends to hold at least one free paper shredding event per year. It’s most commonly offered in August. When the exact date is announced, you’ll be able to find it here.
Maine
Throughout the state of Maine, you can find free shredding events via Shredding On Site. There’s a decent concentration of events all spring and well into June, with things heating back up again in September.
Maryland
Declutter through free paper shredding and shop trendy Swedish furniture in one fell swoop. Yes, please!
Head to the Baltimore Ikea on April 29, 2023, for a free shred day hosted by the Better Business Bureau. It’s starting to become an annual event!
Massachusetts
The City of Boston doesn’t mess around with free paper shredding for their residents. There are events spanning tax season and back-to-school season, and you can bring in a whopping 10 boxes of paper to be shredded each time.
Michigan
Washington Township is hosting free shred events on May 13 and Sept. 16, 2023.
Minnesota
Head to the WSP Sports Complex on April 22, 2023, for a free shredding event for the local St. Paul community.
Mississippi
You can bring up to five boxes to either the Biloxi or Bay St. Louis branches of The Peoples Bank on April 22, 2023, for free shredding services.
Missouri
Shepard Funeral Chapel holds an annual free paper shredding event every Spring. This year the event’s happening on April 15, 2023.
Montana
Montana Credit Union usually partners with media outlet Montana Right Now to bring the Great Falls region a free paper shredding event every April.
Nebraska
There’s a free shred day at Kellogg Credit Union in Omaha on April 15, 2023. Fun twist: This is a drive-thru-only event!
Nevada
The Better Business Bureau of Las Vegas is hosting an event on April 22, 2023. You can bring up to four boxes for free shredding, but expect to pay an additional $10 for each extra box.
New Hampshire
SecurShred breaks the mold by hosting a litany of free paper shredding and electronics recycling events in New Hampshire throughout the year. You can bring up to five boxes to each event.
New Jersey
Head to the Cumberland County Solid Waste Complex in Millvale on the following dates to shred your documents for free:
- April 15, 2023
- June 10, 2023
- Sept. 16, 2023
New Mexico
U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union hosts free shredding events at their locations across the state every year. Bucking the norm, these events are usually concentrated in October rather than occurring in the spring.
New York
Throughout the spring, AARP hosts free document shredding events across the state of New York, whether you’re in the city, upstate, or on Long Island.
North Carolina
AG Josh Stein lists free paper shredding events across the state on his website. Bear in mind that in almost every county, these events happen exclusively in the spring.
North Dakota
AARP is hosting a free paper shredding event at the Northview Church in Fargo on April 29, 2023.
Ohio
LCNB National Bank hosts free shred events starting in the spring, running through the summer, and spanning well into the fall. These events are drive-up only, and while there’s not an explicit restriction to how much you can bring, those who bring less will be served first. You can find a full list of dates here.
Oklahoma
Tinker Federal Credit Union also hosts free document shredding events at their branches in the Oklahoma City area and beyond. These dates spread pretty evenly from the spring through the summer through the fall. The full schedule is here.
Oregon
Oregon State Credit Union hosts one free shred day per month at various community locations around the state. You can find one near you here.
Pennsylvania
State Senator Wayne Fontana and Rep. Dan Deasy usually team up once or twice a year to bring free shredding events to their constituents in Southwestern PA. There’s usually one in April and one in May in the Pittsburgh region.
Rhode Island
You don’t have to be a member of Washington Trust to take advantage of their free document shredding days. You can catch one on April 15 in these towns:
- Westerly
- Cranston
- North Providence
Then on May 6, 2023, there will be events in both Narragansett and East Providence.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs hosts a flurry of free paper shredding events every year during March.
South Dakota
First Dakota hosts free shred days at various branch locations throughout April.
Tennessee
Find free paper shredding days near you at Eastman Credit Union. These events usually happen in either the spring or fall depending on location.
Texas
In the Houston area, you can look to First Community for free shred days in the spring and fall.
Utah
Utah Community Credit Union throws three Shred Fest events throughout the summer at branch locations in Orem, Spanish Fork, and American Fork. You can bring up to two boxes.
Vermont
AARP is hosting events at rotating locations across the state. There’s one a month starting in May and ending in September.
Virginia
Catch the “Shred It to Protect It” event at the Eastern Henrico Government Center on April 22, 2023. Each person can bring up to two boxes or three full paper grocery bags.
Washington
In Washington state, you can catch free paper shredding events throughout the year at Our Community Credit Union locations across the state. Here are the 2023 dates and locations.
The credit union also uses these events as food drives, so bring something for your local food bank when you go!
West Virginia
In the spring and fall, the Canton Regional/Greater WV chapter of the Better Business Bureau hosts events in Charleston, Wheeling, and Huntington. There are also a couple of events in Eastern Ohio, but depending on where you live, those might be closer to you than the events in your actual state.
Wisconsin
Royal Credit Union hosts drive-thru paper shredding days at four Wisconsin locations throughout April and May. You can only bring one box, though!
Wyoming
WyHy Federal Credit Union holds an annual document destruction day for the community in Cheyenne. This year the event is happening on April 15, 2023.
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