Visitors can securely dispose of sensitive documents and electronics

Redwood Credit Union invites the Mendocino County community to come to its annual free document shredding event on Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of RCU’s Ukiah branch at 195 S. Orchard Ave. The popular annual Shred-a-Thon will feature free document shredding provided by Shred-It and electronic waste (e-waste) collection by Conservation Corps North Bay.

“We're happy to provide this service to the community, so people can get rid of their confidential documents and e-waste in a secure and environmentally friendly way,” said Todd Andrus, Redwood Credit Union’s Ukiah branch experience manager. “It's really important to dispose of sensitive information and old financial records safely to protect oneself from identity theft.”

Attendees may bring up to three boxes (15”x12”x10”) of confidential documents for shredding, such as old financial statements, canceled checks, and credit card offers. Conservation Corps North Bay will also be on site to collect and recycle e-waste such as old computers, printers, cell phones, and personal electronics.

Monetary donations will be accepted at the event to benefit Plowshares, a community-funded nonprofit located in Ukiah that provides hot nutritious meals and resources to those in need in inland Mendocino County.

In 2022, more than 2,700 residents in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties attended RCU shred-a-thons. Shred-It trucks helped communities dispose of 100,080 lbs. of documents, while Conservation Corps collected 24,300 lbs. of e-waste. To put it in perspective, the shredded paper alone has an environmental impact equal to 12,636 trees (315 acres) and 206,600 gallons of water (enough to water 330 lawns for a week).