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Shred Day Returns! With identity theft on the rise, it is important to dispose of sensitive personal records carefully and securely. These include banking, tax, and even medical records. The Austin chapter of ARMA, along with Balcones Shred, are resuming the annual Fall Shred Day on Saturday, November 6th from 8:00am – 1:30pm. This free event will be held at the Balcones Shred facility at 9301 Johnny Morris Rd., in Austin, TX. The requirements for shredding are as follows:
• Dry paper only. Paper that has been stored outside and is wet cannot be shredded until it is completely free of moisture.
• Must be packed in cardboard boxes no larger than 24in x 24in x 36in. Boxes must have fitted lids or should be securely closed using box flaps. (Please do not tape boxes shut.)
• Documents packed in hard plastic bins, plastic bags, or any other form of storage container will not be accepted.
• Electronic media (floppy disks, CD/DVD's), batteries, or any form of binders (Three-ring, spiral) will not be accepted.
All shredded material and cardboard boxes are recycled. Monetary donations will be kindly accepted, with proceeds going to the Austin ARMA Chapter and a local charity (to be determined).
Both CDC and local mandates will be strictly followed for this event, by volunteers and attendees. Masks and social distancing will be required. We ask that you stay inside your vehicle at all times, limiting contact with others for your safety as well as the safety of our volunteers. Unlike previous years, you will not be able to witness the shredding of your documents at this event. The Fall Shred Day is subject to cancellation at any moment due to COVID concerns, so please check our website regularly for updates, including the day of the event.
For additional information about Shred Day, what can be shredded and how it should be prepared, please visit www.austinarma.com/shred-day. For additional questions, please contact Austin ARMA via email at austinarmachapter@gmail.com or leave a message for a return call at (512) 937-3347.
Check out the event page on Facebook!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the volunteers?
The volunteers are members of the Austin ARMA chapter and members from the sponsoring local vendors that are donating their day to this free community service event to help you securely shred your confidential information. Please be aware of them and keep their safety in mind while driving your vehicle.
What is ARMA?
ARMA International is a not-for-profit international professional association that specializes in managing and governing information as a strategic asset. The local Austin ARMA chapter is the group that organizes the free shred event.
Can I bring my business records to be shredded?
No. This event is for private households to securely destroy their confidential information.
How long should I maintain my personal records?
Here we provide a personal records retention schedule you can refer to in order to determine if your records can or should be destroyed.
Is there a box limit that I can bring to Shred Day?
No more than 10 boxes per vehicle will be accepted.
Logistics
What are the event hours?
The Shred Day begins at 8:00 am and will end promptly at 1:30pm on 11/6/21.
Will the event occur even if there's inclement weather?
No. It is up to the discretion of Austin ARMA depending on the severity of the weather and the safety conditions for the volunteers and attendees.
How can I check if weather has cancelled the event?
You can either email us at austinarmachapter@gmail.com or you can call [512] 937-3347.
Will I have to unload my car?
No, Shred Day volunteers will gladly unload your car; however, if you bring a pet along with you, the volunteers will NOT be able to reach into the vehicle.
Am I guaranteed to have my confidential records shred as long as I arrive by 1:30 pm?
We make every attempt to ensure anyone who arrives before 1:30 pm can drop off their records, but the event may close earlier than that time if all trucks become full before 1:30 pm. Absolutely no arrivals after 1:30 pm will be accepted. We appreciate your attention to this.
Is it as secure?
Yes. All of our shred vendors are insured and bonded professionals that provide these services to hospitals, banks and the government offices around our community. The items dropped off will be taken and shred at their facilities within 72 hours.
How should the paper be prepared?
Paper should be in cardboard boxes that do not exceed 24" x 24" x 36" and should be able to be easily lifted. The boxes should have fitting lids or securely closed box flaps. This prevents the paper from accidentally being blown out and exposing your personal information to identity theft.
Do I need to remove staples from my documents?
If there are a lot, yes. A small number of standard household staples are ok. Large amounts, industrial staples, paper clips and binder clips should be removed.
Do I need to remove my mail from their envelopes?
No, you can drop your mail into the box as is. No need to remove. It will all be shred and recycled.
Is the paper and cardboard taken recycled?
Yes. All paper and cardboard is recycled.
Can I use any box?
You can use any cardboard box with a fitting lid that is not larger than 24” x 24” x 36”. We have to ensure the volunteers are able to pick the boxes up. We also cannot accept flimsy boxes that may fall apart if picked up.
Can I keep my boxes?
Yes, just inform the volunteers that you wish to keep your boxes and they will be returned to you after they are emptied.
What types of items are accepted at Shred Day?
Dry paper of any color is the only accepted material. All paper should be in cardboard boxes with lids or flaps that close. This will ensure no documents will get dropped or carried off by the wind, keeping your information protected. DO NOT TAPE THE BOX CLOSED. We cannot accept paper in plastic bags or leaf bags.
What types of items are NOT accepted at Shred Day?
Batteries, plastics, wet paper, clothes, electronics, metal, three ring binders, wood, binder clips, rubber bands or anything else that is not dry paper.
Austin ARMA Chapter