Shred-It Town Event Tomorrow

Residents can dispose of sensitive documents in an environmentally sound way for free behind DPW

By Nivia Wilson

Saugus residents can protect the environment and guard against identity theft by disposing of sensitive personal documents at the town’s annual Shred-It event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon behind the Department of Public Works, 515 Main St. The program is free.

“It’s very popular and successful,” said Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Pam Goodwin, co-secretary of Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment. “This shredding event really opens up the opportunity for people to get rid of the papers that pile up.”

More than 1.1 million Americans were victims of identity theft in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Saugus’s Shred-It event, and similar outreach programs around Boston, are designed to help residents protect their personal information.

Dana Valeri, general manager of Woburn-based Highland Shredding, said Saugus residents will empty their sensitive documents into rolling containers and be able to watch as a mechanical arm tips the load into a hopper for shredding.

“After a shred event, we could recycle up to two tons of shredded paper,” said Valeri. “On average, we recycle 80 tons of paper each month … the equivalent of saving 16,320 trees from being processed for new product.”

Most paper products – printed documents, file folders, notebooks, checkbooks and others – may be destroyed during Saturday’s event, but food waste containers, cardboard boxes and electronics are not eligible.

  Nivia Wilson is a student journalist in the Boston University Newsroom program.