Secure Your Documents: Free Paper Shredding Services Available for Anoka County Residents

Secure Your Documents: Free Paper Shredding Services Available for Anoka County Residents

By MinneapoliMedia Staff
August 2, 2025 | Coon Rapids, MN

Residents of Anoka County looking for a secure and environmentally responsible way to dispose of sensitive documents have access to free paper shredding services at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center. Through a combination of year-round self-serve options and quarterly mobile shredding events, the City of Coon Rapids continues its commitment to public privacy and sustainability.

Self-Serve Shredding Available Year-Round

The Coon Rapids Recycling Center, located at 1827 111th Avenue NW, offers self-serve paper shredding during regular facility hours. This service is designed for smaller quantities—one box of documents per visit—and is ideal for residents needing occasional shredding of personal papers.

The shred room closes 10 minutes before the facility shuts down, and all shredding must be performed by residents themselves. Staff are unable to assist due to privacy policies.

Residents are reminded to:

• Shred only documents with private or confidential information
• Avoid shredding items like magazines, calendars, and greeting cards
• Remove paper clips and rubber bands; staples may remain
• Use the strip-cut shredders responsibly, as the City is not liable for any breach of information caused by improper shredding

Quarterly Mobile Shredding Events

For larger volumes of shredding, Coon Rapids hosts four free mobile shredding events annually, exclusively for Anoka County residents. These take place on the first Saturday of February, May, August, and November from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., also at the Recycling Center.

2025 Remaining Paper Shredding Event Dates:

• Saturday, August 2
• Saturday, November 1

Each vehicle is limited to five boxes of documents. Residents are asked to:

• Load all items in the rear of their vehicle
• Remain in their vehicle while volunteers unload the documents
• Dispose of any trash themselves; cardboard boxes may be dropped off at the Recycling Center after unloading

Documents are securely destroyed onsite by a cross-cut shredder truck, ensuring materials are reduced to confetti-sized particles.

Guidelines for Shredding Events:

• No need to remove staples, rubber bands, or envelopes with plastic windows
• Folders and checkbooks may remain intact
• Prohibited items: credit cards, CDs, and three-ring binders

Already Shredded Your Paper at Home?

Residents can still responsibly dispose of their shredded paper by placing it in a folded brown paper grocery bag and dropping it off in the mixed paper section at the Recycling Center. Shredded paper should not be placed in curbside recycling carts, and plastic bags are not accepted.

Want to Watch Your Documents Get Shredded?

For peace of mind, residents are welcome to observe their documents being shredded at mobile events. If choosing to watch, please park off to the side to keep the line moving efficiently.

For additional information, residents can contact the Recycling Division at 763-767-6485.

MinneapoliMedia