MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids to Host Free Bulk Paper Shredding Event May 2 at Recycling Center

COON RAPIDS, MN (May 2, 2026)

The City of Coon Rapids will host a free bulk paper shredding event on Saturday, May 2, providing Anoka County residents and small businesses with a secure method to dispose of sensitive documents.

The event will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Recycling Center, located at 1827 111th Avenue NW. The service is offered at no cost and is available to all residents and small businesses within Anoka County. A strict limit of five boxes per vehicle is in place to ensure access for a high volume of participants.

Event Operations and Capacity

The shredding event is structured as a drive-through operation designed to process large quantities of material efficiently. Participants are asked to place boxes in the trunk or rear of their vehicles. Staff and volunteers will unload materials directly into an on-site mobile shredding truck while participants remain in their vehicles.

The event is scheduled to run until noon or until the shredding truck reaches capacity. City officials note that similar events have reached capacity before the scheduled end time, and early arrival is recommended.

High-Security Document Destruction

The event utilizes industrial-grade mobile shredding equipment, offering a higher level of security than standard home or office shredders.

Documents are destroyed using cross-cut shredding technology, which reduces paper into confetti-sized fragments, making reconstruction highly unlikely. A designated viewing area is available for participants who wish to observe the shredding process after unloading their materials.

Accepted and Prohibited Materials

The industrial shredder is designed to handle a range of paper-based materials without extensive preparation.

Accepted materials include:

• Paper documents with staples or paper clips
• Rubber bands
• Envelopes, including those with plastic windows
• File folders
• Checkbooks

Participants are advised not to remove these materials prior to arrival.

Prohibited items include:

• Three-ring binders
• CDs, DVDs, and other media
• Credit cards and heavy plastic materials

These items can damage shredding equipment or contaminate the recycling stream.

Program Context and Additional Services

The May 2 event is one of several bulk shredding opportunities scheduled by the city in 2026. Additional events are planned for August 1 and November 7.

For residents unable to attend, the Recycling Center offers a self-service shredding option during regular operating hours. That service is limited to one box per visit and uses standard strip-cut shredders.

City officials position the shredding program as part of a broader effort to support both environmental sustainability and data security by providing residents with accessible options for proper document disposal.

For more information, visit the City of Coon Rapids shredding page:
https://www.coonrapidsmn.gov/381/Paper-Shredding

MinneapoliMedia | Community. Culture. Civic Life.