To protect against identity theft, document shredding is becoming almost essential these days. Below is a list of many different organizations throughout the Twin Cities offering FREE document shredding. Please note that some organizations have size restrictions and some only offer their services to residents in a certain area. For up-to-date and complete information, always check the organization’s web site before heading out.

Free Twin Cities Paper Shredding Events
- City of Andover has free paper shredding during Spring Clean up only on Saturday May 14, 9 am – 1 pm. 1785 Crosstown Blvd. NW (Public Works Complex)
- Anoka County has a NEW self-serve paper shredder available to residents during recycling center hours (Hours October – March: Tues.-Sat., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., April-Sept, Tues. & Thurs., 2-8 p.m., Wed, Friday, Sat., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.). The self-serve shredder is intended for smaller amounts, please limit shreds to one box per visit. In addition, Anoka County offers larger shredding events (5 box limit) on the days noted below. All shredding services will take place at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center located at 1831 111th Avenue NW. **Must be above 40 degrees for the shredder to be available**
- 2022 Paper Shredding Dates:
Saturday, February 5, 9 am to 12 pm
Saturday, March 5, 9 am to 12 pm
Saturday, May 7, 9 am to 12 pm
Saturday, August 6, 9 am to 12 pm
Saturday, November 5, 9 am to 12 pm
- 2022 Paper Shredding Dates:
- Apple Valley May 14th 2022 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Apple Valley Aquatic Center 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124
FREE (limit to four paper bags or small boxes per vehicle) - The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day the third Saturday of each month, including FREE paper shredding, at Green Light’s Recycling (please enter at 1525 99th Lane NE), 4 limit at this time. The collection event runs 8am-noon MARCH 19, 2022 APRIL 16, 2022 MAY 21, 2022 JUNE 18, 2022 JULY 16, 2022 AUGUST 20, 2022 SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 OCTOBER 15, 2022 NOVEMBER 19, 2022 DECEMBER 17, 2022
- The City of Brooklyn Park will host a FREE material drop off day, including paper for shredding at the Operations and Maintenance Facility in Brooklyn Park (8300 Noble Avenue North) The next drop-off day is Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.The event is open to residents of Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, New Hope and Crystal.
- The City of Elk River is sponsoring a Document Shredding as part of its Spring Clean Up Day on TBD, from 9 a.m. – noon at the ISD 728 parking lot located across from 19027 Proctor Rd. NW. Payments can be made on site. Cost is $5 per load for residents and $25/per load for businesses, no limit as to amount. Business must pre-register.
- Firefly Credit Union Now Tru-Stone is sponsoring a FREE Community Shred Events all year long. 2022 dates have not been announced yet.
- The Hennepin Recycling Group offers FREE shredding services for residents of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal and New Hope, as part of their Special Material drop-off day on Saturday April 30th 2022 from 8am to 3pm at the Brooklyn Park Operations and Maintenance facility.
- The City of Hopkins will host a Shred-It for $20 gate fee residents as part of its Bulk Item Drop-Off Day on Friday, May 6th, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 7th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.at the Public Works Building, 11100 Excelsior Blvd. Open to refuse customers in the City service area of Hopkins.
- The City of Maplewood will host a FREE document shredding for residents as part of its Spring Clean Up on Saturday May 21st 2022 8 a.m.-noon at the Aldrich Arena, 1850 White Bear Avenue.
- The City of New Brighton will host a FREE document shredding for residents as part of its New Brighton Clean-up Day this Spring, date TBD. See web site for location.
- The City of Plymouth is to hold a FREE Shred Event on Friday April 29th and Saturday, April 30th 2022 at the Plymouth Maintenance Facility (14900 23rd Avenue North), at the annual Drop-Off event. Open to residents of Plymouth only. They divide different items accepted over the two days. The city has not announced which day will be paper shredding, please check first.
- The City of Rosemount will host its annual Spring Clean-Up Day on in Spring, 2022 date TBD at the Dakota County Technical College, 1300 145th Street East, open to Rosemount Residents only.
- The City of Roseville is sponsoring a FREE Shredding day on May 21st 2022 at the Roseville City Hall (2660 Civic Center Drive) from 9 a.m. – noon, open to all Roseville Residents. Details here.
- Dakota County Residents can shred documents for FREE during the following events:
- Apple Valley May 14th 2022 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Apple Valley Aquatic Center 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124
FREE (limit to four paper bags or small boxes per vehicle) - Farmington Library Shred Event, 508 3rd Street Farmington, Farmington
- West St. Paul Shred Event 1650 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, open only to residents of South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights residents, Sunfish Lake, Lilydale and Mendota.
- Hastings Hazardous Waste Drop Off Shred Event, April 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1225 Progress Drive, Hastings
- Eagan Community Center Shred Event, April 30th 2022, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Cascade Bay in Eagan 1360 Civic Center Dr., Eagan, MN 55122
- Lakeville Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Shred Event, April 23rd 2022, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 7570 179th Street West, Lakeville
- Burnsville Spring household Hazardous Waste Collection Event, Saturday June 4th 2022 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the City of Burnsville Maintenance Facility (13713 Frontier Court, Burnsville, all Dakota County residents welcome.
- Apple Valley May 14th 2022 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Apple Valley Aquatic Center 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN 55124
- Royal Credit Union is sponsoring FREE Shred Events for its members and the general public on the following dates and locations:
- TBD, New Richmond, WI, 355 S. Knowles Avenue
- TBD, 10 a.m. – noon, Apple Valley, 14295 Cedar Avenue South
- TBD, 10 a.m. – noon, St. Paul, 1020 Rice Street
- TBD, 9 a.m. – noon, Hudson, 2501 Hanley Road
- TBD, 10 a.m. – noon, Edina, 4450 W. 76th Street
- Shred Right is sponsoring the following FREE shredding event: Join Edina Realty – Stillwater and Shred Right for a shred event on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022 from 10AM to 12PM! The event will be held at 14430 North 60th Street, Stillwater, MN 55082.
- Members of Topline Federal Credit Union can take advantage of FREE document shredding at any one of their branch locations in Como Park, Maple Grove, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park and Plymouth.
- The Washington County 2022 Confidential Shredding Dates are shown below.Hugo: Saturday, April 16 | 8 a.m. – Noon
Hugo Public Works Garage
6900 137th St. N.
View brochure (PDF)Mahtomedi: Saturday, April 23 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
High School/Middle School Entrance
8100 75th St. N.
View brochure (PDF)Stillwater: Saturday, May 21 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lily Lake Ice Arena
1208 S. Greeley St.
View brochure (PDF)Forest Lake: Saturday, June 4 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Forest Lake Transit Center
19987 Fitzgerald Trail N.
View brochure (PDF) - The City of West St. Paul will hold its Annual Shred Event on April 23, 2022, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM West St. Paul Sports ComplexResidents of West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Lilydale are welcome!
If you would like to be included in this list or know of another organization that offers FREE shredding, please email the information to News@twincitiesonthecheap.com
Learn more about Paint Recycling here.