Coon Rapids to Host First High-Security Paper Shredding Event of 2026 for Anoka County Residents and Small Businesses

COON RAPIDS, MN

In an era defined by data breaches, identity theft, and the quiet accumulation of sensitive paper records in basements and back offices, the City of Coon Rapids is offering residents a simple, practical safeguard.

On Saturday, February 7, the city will host its first secure bulk paper shredding event of 2026, running from 9 a.m. to noon at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center. The event is free and open to all Anoka County residents and small businesses, providing a level of document security that goes well beyond everyday disposal options.

A stronger answer to a modern problem

While the Recycling Center offers self-service shredders during regular business hours, city officials note that this special event is designed for volume and security. Instead of standard strip-cut machines, participants will have access to a mobile industrial shredding truck, bringing commercial-grade destruction directly on site.

Documents are fed into the truck and destroyed immediately, using cross-cut shredding technology that reduces paper into confetti-sized fragments. For residents who want added peace of mind, the city allows participants to pull into a designated area and observe the shredding process in real time.

Event logistics and access

The shredding event will take place at 1827 111th Avenue NW, Coon Rapids, with a five-box limit per vehicle to ensure the service remains accessible throughout the morning. The event is structured as a drive-through operation. Residents are asked to place boxes in the rear of their vehicle and remain inside while volunteers unload materials for shredding.

City officials caution that the event runs until noon or until the shredding truck reaches capacity, whichever comes first. High demand in past years has occasionally shortened events, making early arrival advisable.

What you can and cannot bring

The industrial equipment used during the event is designed to handle more than office paper alone. Accepted materials include paper with staples or paper clips, rubber bands, checkbooks, file folders, and envelopes with plastic windows.

However, some items must be excluded to protect the machinery. Three-ring binders, credit cards, and CDs will not be accepted. The city notes that during normal operating hours, residents may still recycle home-shredded paper if it is placed in a brown paper bag with the top folded over.

A recurring public service

The February event marks the first in a series of bulk shredding days scheduled for 2026. According to the city’s published calendar, additional shredding Saturdays are planned for May 2, August 1, and November 7, each from 9 a.m. to noon, reinforcing the city’s broader commitment to secure disposal and responsible recycling.

For additional information, residents may contact the Recycling Center at 763-767-6485. City staff note that phone availability may be limited during the Saturday event itself, with full assistance typically provided during weekday business hours.

For many households and small businesses, the event offers more than convenience. It provides reassurance that sensitive records are not just discarded, but decisively erased.

MinneapoliMedia