Shredding your documents is one way to protect yourself from identity theft and other forms of fraud. Shred pre-approved credit card offers, tax records, employment records, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other personal documents that include confidential information.
Several organizations regularly hold free paper shredding events in Charlotte and surrounding communities. The events often happen in April and November, but can take place at any time.
We will be regularly updating this page with free paper shredding events in the Charlotte region.
If you know of one that should be listed, please let us know at info@charlotteonthecheap.com and we will add it, time permitting. Read on for a little bit of information about buying your own shredder, and then a list of upcoming shredding events.
Buying a Shredder
Thinking of buying your own shredder? There are several kinds of paper shredders, and it’s important to know the differences between them, so that you can make the best choice for your privacy and security.
Strip-cut shredder: These cut papers into long strips. A standard size paper is typically cut into about 39 strips. They’re fine for shredding junk mail, but are not great for confidential materials, because the strips might still contain readable information. Also known as ribbon-cut, spaghetti-cut, or straight-cut shredders.
Cross-cut shredder: These cut paper diagonally from both directions. A standard size paper is typically cut into 400 pieces, offering more security than a strip-cut shredder. Cross-cut shredders are the most popular kind of shredders. Also known as a confetti-cut shredder.
Micro-cut shredder: These are the most secure, but are generally slower and more expensive than cross-cut or strip-cut shredders. They cut a standard size paper into 2,000 particles, making it impossible to read any data from the document.
Other features to consider:
- Auto-feed shredder: Load a large quantity of paper at one time, so you don’t have to feed paper one sheet at a time.
- CD shredding: Some shredders have a slot for shredding CDs, DVDs and credit cards.
- Continuous duty paper shredders: Most shredders can shred for a certain amount of time (15-30 minutes) before needing time to cool down. Make sure to check for that in the specifications. A continuous duty shredder doesn’t need a cool down break.
- Waste baskets. Most shredders come with a wastebasket. A pull-out waste basket is more convenient than the lift-off head. You can also put shredder bags inside the bin to make emptying easier.
Comparison of paper shredders
Free paper shredding events around Charlotte
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
Free paper shredding is offered by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste on the third Saturday of the month from Saturday to November, 2024. The next event is planned for September 21, 2024. You need to reserve a time slot between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. More info on the events here. Future dates are October 19 and November 16, 2024.
Shred-a-Thon at St. John’s Baptist Church
There will be a Shred-a-Thon on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at St. John’s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will also include activities for kids, food trucks, community resources and more.
Stallings
Stallings Parks and Recreation is hosting a Shred Day on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 2725 Old Monroe Road, Stallings, North Carolina.
City of Kannapolis
Check back soon.
Gastonia
There will be a Shred Day event at the Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E Long Avenue, Gastonia, NC, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please bring a maximum of three banker boxes. Info here.
Indian Trail
The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Shred Day on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Indian Trail Town Hall, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, North Carolina.
Mooresville
Check back soon. Events are often announced on the Mooresville Police Department’s Facebook page.
Belmont
Check back soon for shredding events from Keep Belmont Beautiful.
Matthews
Check back soon for shred events from The Town of Matthews. They are often announced on Record Storage System’s Facebook page.
York County, SC
York County hosts a Household Hazardous Materials Collection and Document Shredding event on Saturday, October 5, from 8 am. to 12 p.m. at York County Solid Waste Collection & Recycling, 220 Public Works Road, York, SC.
Stallings
Check back soon. Future shred events will most likely be announced on Town of Stallings’ Facebook page or website.
Cramerton
Check back soon.
Shred 360 Events
Check back soon for Shred 360 events.
Huntersville
Check back soon.
Weddington
Check back soon.
Ballantyne
Check back soon.
Concord
Check back soon.
Davidson
Check back soon. The next shred event will be announced on townofdavidson.org.
Mint Hill
We will update when we learn about future shred events in Mint Hill.
Cornelius
We will update when learn about future shred events in Cornelius.
Mount Pleasant
We will update when we learn about future shred events in Mount Pleasant, NC.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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