Shred Days, free confidential document shredding (2024)

FAQs!

How does it work?

At each location, we’ve created a “drive-thru” so you can quickly enter and exit the event. The drive-thru is convenient, ensures we accommodate all members and keeps exits clear for fire or other emergencies. First, your confidential documents are placed in bins. Once each bin is full, it is sent to the truck for shredding.

Where in the parking lot do I go to drop of my confidential documents?

  • Paso Robles Branch:The Vital Records shred truck is parked in front of the branch entryway. Members may “drive-thru” the teller window traffic lane to exit. Members needing to use the ATM may park directly in front of it.
  • Atascadero Branch:The Vital Records shred trucks will be parked in the lot directly in front of the Atascadero branch front doors. Vehicles will line up for shredding services using the Atascadero branch drive thru lane. This pattern will ensure we keep the lanes in the shopping center parking lot clear of traffic and clears access to our ATM. Our friendly staff will be there to direct you into place. Members needing to use the ATMs may park in the adjacent lot.
  • San Luis Obispo Headquarters:The Vital Records shred trucks will be parked in the Headquarters lot. As you enter on Industrial Way, drive past the San Luis Obispo branch parking lot. Look for our friendly staff and signs, who will direct you to the drive-thru. The drive-thru lane will circle the perimeter of the Headquarters lot, ensuring traffic is not backed up for members needing access the San Luis Obispo branch and ATM. Please note that the event does not begin before 9:00 a.m., so if you arrive early, please park in the SESLOC Branch parking lot to ensure the shred trucks have room to maneuver to their event location.
  • Santa Maria Branch: The Vital Records shred trucks will be parked in front of the branch. Vehicles may follow the cones to enter the lot.

Do I need to bring proof of membership?

No. In order to keep the drive-thru line moving quickly, we will not request proof of membership.

My shred boxes are heavy. Will there be someone to help me?

Yes. You may remain in your vehicle while you drive-thru the event. Our friendly staff will request permission to retrieve your boxes from your vehicle, dropping your confidential documents in the bins. Or, you may remove them yourself.

What do I do with my boxes?

The Vital Records trucks cannot shred cardboard boxes, and SESLOC does not have the capacity to store boxes for recycling. Members must take boxes or containers after the confidential documents are dropped in the bins.

May I watch my documents being shredded?

Yes, you may remain on premises to watch your confidential documents in the bins being shredded in the Docuteam truck. Because it may take a few minutes before a bin is full, we ask that you park away from the drive-thru lane while waiting so we can accommodate the next member.

I want to make sure I get my documents shredded and will arrive early. Where does the drive-thru queue start?

The event cannot start until the Vital Records trucks are in their designated parking spot. Prior to event start, traffic cones will mark the spaces designated for the trucks. If you arrive early, please park in adjacent spaces. SESLOC staff will then direct you to the drive-thru lane. For the event in SLO at our HQ, please park in the North Lot (Branch parking lot) to wait until the event starts to ensure the shred trucks have room to maneuver to their event location.

I cannot attend the Shred Day event. May I drop off my documents at the branch?

No, we cannot store confidential documents for members. Members must be present at the event to benefit from the complimentary shredding service.

Do you have Shred Days at other branches throughout the year?

Yes, we have offered Shred Days at San Luis Obispo Headquarters, and the Atascadero and Paso Robles branches. In 2023, we will host our first ever Shred Day at the Santa Maria branch in late summer. Due to the size and structure of the parking lot at the Arroyo Grande branch, we cannot accommodate this type of event while allowing easy access to other merchants in the shopping center.

Shred Days, free confidential document shredding (2024)

FAQs

How to shred documents for free? ›

Shred days – some businesses offer local 'shred days' for customers, such as banks and recycling companies. Many of these are free and they'll accept any paper documents for professional shredding.

What is the best way to destroy confidential documents? ›

Best Ways to Dispose of Private Materials

Shred documents in a crosscut shredder, place the scraps into bags, and put them in the trash. If it is legal to do so, burn the documents in a fire pit and spread the ashes. Soak papers in water and bleach to create a pulp. Let the pulp dry, then dispose of it.

Should you shred confidential documents? ›

We all know it's important to shred our most sensitive pieces of information—credit card statements or applications, tax-related documents, identity cards, etc. Knowing what to shred is key to keeping your identity protected, your finances secure, and your family safe.

Where is the safest place to shred documents? ›

FedEx Office offers shredding services that are simple and secure. Visit select FedEx Office locations, where our team members can assist you in sending old tax forms, financial records, and other confidential documents to be safely destroyed with Iron Mountain Secure Shredding services.

Is it safe to throw away old bank statements? ›

According to the Federal Trade Commission, all documents with sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and bank account information, should be shredded to protect your identity from theft. Old bank statements and many other types of documents fall under this category.

How do I get rid of old bank statements without a shredder? ›

However, if you choose to burn your documents, be sure to do a slow, controlled burn and monitor it closely. Pulping. Another option for destroying sensitive documents is pulping. You can pulp your documents by allowing them to soak in a water and bleach mixture for about 24 hours.

How should you properly dispose of confidential hard copy documents? ›

The best way to discard confidential paper documents

Shredding is the most secure and effective method to destroy hard copies of confidential documents. Whether the business needs a one-off service or regularly needs to keep on top of data, companies like Shredall SDS Group can provide an ad-hoc or scheduled service.

What is the safest way to get rid of documents? ›

The best way to properly dispose of documents that contain your personal information is to shred them before discarding them. If you don't own a paper shredder, check for community shredding events near you or ask about AAA Shred Events at your local branch.

What is the correct disposal of confidential information? ›

Always check all paper waste that you throw, if it contains confidential data (personal or sensitive), it needs to be shredded for security. One should use confidential waste bin or cross-cut shredder in the workplace for documents disposal. Never never to leave confidential waste in a public place.

Should I shred everything with my name and address? ›

To protect your privacy, you should also consider shredding items that include: Names. Addresses. Phone numbers.

What cannot be shredded? ›

ITEMS THAT CANNOT BE SHREDDED: GARBAGE AND FOOD PRODUCTS • WET PAPER • LARGE METAL ITEMS OR 3-RING BINDERS • WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCTS • PLASTICS INCLUDING STYROFOAM • TONER CARTRIDGES • VCR OR MAGNETIC TAPES • CD'S, DVD'S OR X-RAYS • BACKUP/STORAGE MEDIA (FLASHDRIVES, ETC.)

Do credit card receipts need to be shredded? ›

Receipts. Not all receipts need to be shredded, but all receipts from credit card purchases should be shredded. These receipts often include the last four digits of your card number, and sometimes your signature. Start shredding these to keep that info secure.

How much does it cost to get shredded? ›

Drop Off Shredding: The price for this service will vary by location, but it's typically around $1 per pound for drop off shredding services. Mobile Shredding: The price to have a shred truck visit your location varies by location, quantity, and other factors.

How do you destroy a large amount of paper? ›

Methods of Document Destruction
  1. Burning Paper in a Fire Pit. ...
  2. Soaking Documents in Water and Bleach. ...
  3. Composting Sensitive Documents. ...
  4. Cutting or Shredding By Hand. ...
  5. Attending a Community Shredding Event. ...
  6. Hiring a Professional Paper Shredder Service to Destroy Paper and Sensitive Documents.

Do staples need to be removed before shredding? ›

The short answer is no; you don't have to remove staples and paper clips before shredding your documents. Most modern shredders, especially heavy-duty and commercial-grade models, are designed to handle small metal items such as staples and paper clips without any issues.

Does shredding files free up space? ›

Shred all free space on your computer's hard drive

PGP Shred Free Space allows you to erase free disk space that could contain data from files and programs previously deleted by normal processes and were not shredded. This allows you to destroy sensitive files or folders completely.

Is easy file shredder free? ›

Additionally, you can use Easy File Shredder as a disk wiper utility to overwrite all free space on your hard drive with random data - perfect if you are selling your machine. Limitations: Nag-screen and will only shred up to 10 files using the trial version. The subscription starts at $29.95 per year.

How safe are shredded documents? ›

The greater the number of fragments and the smaller they are, the more security a shredder provides. If the documents contain confidential and personal information that could lead to identity theft, you can probably safely throw them away if you have shredded them in a cross-cut shredder.

What is a local shred day? ›

Community Shred-it events raise awareness about identity theft and fraud by reminding community members about the importance of securely destroying personal documents.

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