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 Shred pre-approved credit card offers, tax records, employment records, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other personal documents that include confidential information.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 frequently offered by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste. The events are held the 3rd Saturday of the month in March, April, May, June, September, October and November. You need to reserve a time slot between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. More info on the events here.
Saint Nektarios in Charlotte
Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 5108 Kuykendall Road, Charlotte, NC, is hosting a free shredding event on September 16, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte
St. John’s Baptist Church, at 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC, is hosting a Shred-a-Thon event on September 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Besides shredding, there will be food trucks, activities for kids, community resources and more.
Cramerton
Cramerton Parks and Recreation has announced a free shredding day as part of their Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cramerton Town Hall, 155 N Main Street, Cramerton, NC.
Indian Trail
The Town of Indian Trail is holding a Shred Day on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Indian Trail Town Hall, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, North Carolina. You’re limited to 5 boxes per household.
Shred 360 Events
Shred 360 is holding one free shredding event in the Charlotte area in September (check back soon for more):
- Shred event on September 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Friendship Trays/Loaves and Fishes, 648 Griffith Road, Charlotte, NC
Gastonia
There will be a Shred Day event at the Gastonia Farmers Market, 410 E Long Avenue, Gastonia, NC, on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. You can also bring your old electronics and out of date medicines to be disposed of properly. Info here.
City of Kannapolis
Fall shred event on Saturday, October 14, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Public Works, 1401 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis, NC. This event is for Kannapolis residents only. Document shredding is limited to five file boxes per person, which is the equivalent of two 40-gallon trash bags. No businesses please.
York County, SC
York County hosts a Household Hazardous Materials Collection and Document Shredding event on the first Saturday of March and the first Saturday of October from 9 am. to 12 p.m. at York County Solid Waste Collection & Recycling, 220 Public Works Road, York, SC.
Check back soon for shred events in Fort Mill and Rock Hill, SC.
Stallings
The Town of Stallings is holding a Shred Day on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at 2725 Old Monroe Road, Stallings, NC. 3 boxes per vehicle. (On Google Street View, this appears to be an empty parking lot.)
Huntersville
Check back soon.
Weddington
Check back soon.
Ballantyne
Check back soon.
Matthews
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.
Mooresville
We will update when we learn about future shred events in Mooresville.
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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