Shredding your documents is a one way to protect yourself from identity theft and other forms of fraud. Shred pre-approved credit card offers, tax records, employment records, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other personal documents that include confidential information.
Several organizations regularly hold free paper shredding events in the Triangle.
We will be regularly updating this page with free paper shredding events in the Triangle. If you know of one that should be listed, please let us know at info@triangleonthecheap.com and we will add it, time permitting.
Shred events are often part of Earth Day celebrations, so be on the lookout for those!
Read on for a little bit of information about buying your own shredder, and then a list of upcoming shredding events. Or jump right to the list of free shredding events.
Buying a Shredder
Thinking of buying your own shredder? There are several kinds of paper shredders, and it’s important to know the differences between them, so that you can make the best choice for your privacy and security.
Strip-cut shredder: These cut papers into long strips. A standard size paper is typically cut into about 39 strips. They’re fine for shredding junk mail, but are not great for confidential materials, because the strips might still contain readable information. Also known as ribbon-cut, spaghetti-cut, or straight-cut shredders.
Cross-cut shredder: These cut paper diagonally from both directions. A standard size paper is typically cut into 400 pieces, offering more security than a strip-cut shredder. Cross-cut shredders are the most popular kind of shredders. Also known as a confetti-cut shredder.
Micro-cut shredder: These are the most secure, but are generally slower and more expensive than cross-cut or strip-cut shredders. They cut a standard size paper into 2,000 particles, making it impossible to read any data from the document.
Other features to consider:
- Auto-feed shredder: Load a large quantity of paper at one time, so you don’t have to feed paper one sheet at a time.
- CD shredding: Some shredders have a slot for shredding CDs, DVDs and credit cards.
- Continuous duty paper shredders: Most shredders can shred for a certain amount of time (15-30 minutes) before needing time to cool down. Make sure to check for that in the specifications. A continuous duty shredder doesn’t need a cool down break.
- Waste baskets. Most shredders come with a wastebasket. A pull-out waste basket is more convenient than the lift-off head. You can also put shredder bags inside the bin to make emptying easier.
Free paper shredding events in the Triangle
Make sure to follow the links below to get all the information about the shredding event. You’ll need to know what kind of items you can bring to be shredded, what the limits are, and if you need to be a resident of a particular town or city to participate.
Paper Shredding in Orange County
Shredding in Orange County: The Shred Center, at the administrative building at 1206 Eubanks Road, Chapel Hill, is available by appointment. Residents can cal 919-968-2788 or email recycling@orangecountync.gov to schedule an appointment. Shredding for residents is on Wednesdays. The Shred Center has not replaced shred-a-thons, which will still be scheduled.
Orange County Shred-a-thons: Check back soon.
Paper Shredding in Wake County
Shredding in Cary: The Town of Cary has installed shredding consoles at six Town facilities, for the collection of old papers, bills, account statements and other sensitive documents. Cary residents can bring up to one banker’s box to any one of these facilities during its normal operating hours. Please don’t bring magazines, books, or electronics.
- Bond Park Community Center
- Herb Young Community Center
- Middle Creek Community Center
- The Cary Senior Center
- The Hive
- Garmon Operations Center
Shred Day in Apex: Apex Police Department is holding Shred Days on April 5 and October 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day, at 105 Upchurch Street, Apex, north Carolina. Check on apexnc.org for future events.
Paper shredding event in Wake Forest: Check for future Wake Forest Paper Shredding Events.
Shred Event in Rolesville: Look for shred events in Rolesville.
Shred Event in Fuquay-Varina: Look for shred events in Fuquay-Varina.
Shred-a-thon in Holly Springs: Check back soon. More info.
Paper Shredding in Chatham County
Shred Events in Chatham County: Check on chathamcountync.gov for future shred events.
Paper Shredding in Durham County
Shredding in Durham: Check back soon.
Paper Shredding in Johnston County
Shred event in Johnston County: Check back soon. Check on johnstonnc.com.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
