OT -alternative to shredding?

[Twoboos]

We have tons of documents & papers from my parents to shred. TONS. I just filled 2 trashbags w/shredded stuff, and I'm only about 1/3 of the way through one pile.

How else can I get rid of this stuff? we have thought about burning it in the fireplace but DH is worried there will be too many fumes from the inks.

I could take it to a place that does shredding but my brother doesn't think they'll really shred it, just take everything to steal my deceased parents' identities!

Any other ideas? Ugh, I might just go with fireplace.

[roobee]

I've noticed that a bank around here has a shredding event where you bring in your stuff and they'll shred it for free. I've also seen mobile trucks that provide shredding service.

Your brother's concern doesn't really seem valid, but I'm not the paranoid type - I never shred anything.

[Tondi G]

my mom has an outdoor fire pit and has burned some papers in it.

[SnuggleBuggles]

The fireplace was my idea. Do you have a charcoal grill? You could do it in that so the fumes won't be in the house.

Beth

[ha98ed14]

I would take it to a place that does shredding. I *am* the paranoid type. I have an office shredder in my kitchen and I shred every unsolicited credit card offer that comes.

I look at it this way. The problem that you have a is a very real one. Similarly wwyd if you owned a small business that you were closing? You wouldn't sit there and feed every single piece of paper through your office shredder. So it *makes sense* that there is a company that has grown to fill that niche. And since this is their business, it is in their best interests NOT to do what your brother thinks they do. As though you had a tire company and you sold everyone defective tires they bought on the cheap. That would be business suicide. Same with the shredding company.

IIWY, I would look for a company in your area that has been operating for as longest. At least then they presumably have a track record. Shredding isn't rocket science or that expensive once the company already has the equipment. It's not like there is a huge upfront cost for them to do your one job. They really don't have a reason not to shred you stuff, and they have lots of reasons to shred your stuff. If you think it through, I think you will realize that. There's nothing wrong with being paranoid; it keeps you from taking risks that *could be* dangerous, but you need to use your reasoning skills to think it through and decide when you are being unreasonably paranoid.

[randomkid]

I wouldn't do the fireplace. I did that at my parents once when I was a teenager and the burning papers started floating up the chimney. Not a good idea. Also, if you have a lot, you will have a huge mess to clean up! I agree with taking it to a place that does shredding. Just make sure it's a reputable place and I think you'll be OK.

[niccig]

I had a lot of shredding, probably 2 garbage bags worth. I sat in front of the TV with the shredder, it took a while. I 2nd finding a place that will do it.

[o_mom]

Most of the shredding companies would be glad to let you watch or even feed it into the shredder yourself - they just have the commercial size shredders that can handle a bunch of stuff at once. At the local events here you just dump them in the hopper and watch them turn into confetti.

[LD92599]

I would definitely suggest a shredding company, just make sure to get their credentials!

There's a ton of companies out there!

[ewpmsw]

DH and I looked into shredding options b/c we wanted our paper recycled and didn't want to burn it. Here is what we learned (we're in VA):

Local banks have free shredding events in April when everyone's all, "Ooo, Earth Day, let's save the environment!" and in September/October to promote "anti-identity theft awareness".

Our Goodwill charges the least for shredding but they have a minimum amount of paper they will accept. Also, there was some question as to whether we'd be allowed to watch the actual shredding.

Document shredding companies are often willing to come to you (residence or business) and let you watch them destroy your stuff. The one we considered was $180 for 20 minutes of shredding. We considered inviting other couples and families and neighbors to make this option work, but then a free bank event came along and we opted for that instead. We were able to watch them destroy our stuff. It took 15-20 seconds.