FREE document shredding events in the metro Atlanta area
Shredding your documents is one way to protect yourself from identity theft and other forms of fraud. You can shred pre-approved credit card offers, tax records, employment records, old bills, out-of-date account statements, personal letters, and any document that include confidential information you’d rather not fall in the wrong hands.
Several organizations regularly hold FREE paper shredding events in the metro area. The events often happen in April and November, but can take place at any time. Earth Day (April 22nd) is often a popular time for shredding events.
This is a permanent page — we will regularly update it with shredding events as we learn of them.
PLEASE do not email us to ask where you can find a shredding event near you! ALL the info we have is right here on this page.
Read on for a little bit of information about buying your own shredder, and then a list of upcoming shredding events.
You may also be interested in:
- Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
- Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
- 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
- Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
- The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park
Buying your own 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 useful features to consider as you shop:
- Auto-feed: Lets you load a large quantity of paper at one time, so you don’t have to feed paper one sheet at a time.
- CD/DVD shredding: Some shredders have a slot for shredding CDs, DVDs, and credit cards.
- Continuous duty feature: 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. Many shredders come with a wastebasket. A pull-out waste basket is more convenient than having to lift off the shredder head.
FREE paper shredding in Atlanta metro area
Please click through the links for more information on each event. You’ll want to make sure you meet any residency requirements and pre-registration requirements, and you’ll need to know which items are accepted and what the limits are.
You’re responsible for verifying each event you want to attend, before you head out the door! The recurring events in particular may change after we publish details.
The events are in chronological order, so you may have to scroll past some that have already happened.
ONGOING, through April 27th, 2024
Office Max and Office Depot stores are offering FREE shredding for up to 5 lbs of documents, in-store only, with a coupon. This is a one-time use per household or business.
Get the coupon here — it’s at the very bottom of the page — and be sure to read the fine print.
PLEASE understand the terms and conditions before you head to the store!
More info
Ongoing, every third Saturday
9 a.m. to noon
Greenbrier Mall
2841 Greenbriar Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30331
Limit 5 bankers boxes of paper, per City of Atlanta resident.
Also tires and electronics recycling on site.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
11 a.m.
Nancy Minor Real Estate
3930 E. Jones Bridge Rd.
Peachtree Corners, GA
Free paper shredding.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jim Miller Park (parking lot)
2245 Callaway Rd.
Marietta, GA 30008
Keep Cobb Beautiful hosts a community recycling event. Accepting electronics, metals, plastic items, textiles and more. Paper for the shredder must be free of metal clips. Click thru for a list of all accepted items.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
7 a.m. to noon
Canton Public Works Dept.
2525 Ridge Rd.
Canton, GA 30114
Must be a resident living within the Canton city limits to participate. Paper shredding with no limit; your boxes will not be returned. Also electronics, paint, tires and other items — click through for a list of all accepted items.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
9 a.m. to noon
Sawyer Road Elementary School (Marietta)
840 Sawyer Rd. NE
Marietta, GA 30062
Limit of 5 average size boxes; suggested donation is $1 per box.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
9 a.m. to noon
Milton High School
13025 Birmingham Hwy
Milton, Ga 30004
Limit of 5 average size boxes; suggested donation is $1 per box.
More info
Saturday, April 13, 2024
8 to 11 a.m.
Lilburn City Hall (parking lot)
76 Main St NW
Lilburn, GA 30047
The Great American Cleanup features paper shredding, electronics recycling, and more. Click thru to see all the items that are accepted here.
For paper, there’s a limit of 10 standard size copier boxes per person. It’s a drive-thru event — you’ll remain in your vehicle.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Norcross Public Works Dept.
345 Lively Ave.
Norcross, GA 30071
Norcross residents only. Paper shredding limited to 5 boxes per resident.
Click thru for info on other materials accepted — including electronics, scrap metal, glass, and hard-to-recycle materials.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9 to 11 a.m.
St. Thomas More Church & School
630 Ponce De Leon Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
Up to 4 boxes of paper per car accepted, until the mobile shredding unit is full. Remove all paper clips and metal.
Also electronics recycling on site.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
10 a.m. to 1 p.m..
Kirkwood Library
11 Kirkwood Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30317
Free community shred day.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
8:30 to noon
Peachtree Corners City Hall
Free paper shredding and electronics recycling, for residents of Peachtree Corners only.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9 a.m to noon
The Avenue West Cobb
3625 Dallas Hwy
Marietta, GA 30064
Secured document shredding, along with dumpsters for general trash, and electronics recycling.
Open to the public. Deejay for entertainment.
More info
Saturday, April 20, 2024
CDC Federal Credit Union (Northlake area)
9 a.m. to noon
4816 Briarcliff Rd.
Open to the community. Limit two boxes of paper per person. No staples, plastic, or paper clips.
More info here
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Keller Williams Real Estate
4878 Manhattan Dr.
Buford, GA
Drive-thru event for paper, plus please bring pantry items for the food co-op.
More info
Saturday, April 27, 2024
9 a.m. to noon
Coolray Field (Gwinnett County)
2500 Buford Dr.
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
This Earth Day recycling event gives you the opportunity to drop off electronics, paint, tires, expired medications, and more.
Paper shredding is available and limited to 5 copier boxes. Boxes will not be returned to you. This is a drive-thru event and you’ll remain in your vehicle. Gwinnett residents only.
More info
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Powder Springs Police Dept. (parking lot)
1114 Richard Sailors Pkwy SW
Powder Springs, GA 30127
Free paper shredding.
More info
Saturday, May 4, 2024
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Northwest Branch Library
2489 Perry Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
Free shredding via the mobile unit in the main parking lot.
More info
Saturday, May 4, 2024
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until trucks are full
Summit Family YMCA (Newnan)
1765 Highway 34 East
Newnan, GA 30265
Earth Day Shred Fest is a free drive-thru shredding event. Up to 3 bags of paper per vehicle.
More info here
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10 a.m. to noon
LifeTime Asset Management
3457 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Rd.
Suwanee, GA 30024
Free drive-thru shredding event, please consider a $5 donation on behalf of the American Cancer Society.
More info
Saturday, May 18, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Dekalb County Central Transfer Station
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
FREE shredding with proof of residency in Dekalb County. Limited to 10 standard size boxes of paper per vehicle (not per person).
More info
Saturday, May 25, 2024
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sandy Springs Library
395 Mount Vernon Hwy
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Free shredding via mobile unit in the main parking lot.
More info
Saturday, June 1, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Newnan City Hall
25 Lagrange St.
Newnan, GA 30263
Coweta County residents can shred 3 boxes of paper for free, and pay $3 per box after that. Out of county residents can shred for $8 per box.
More info
Saturday, September 14, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Newnan City Hall
25 Lagrange St.
Newnan, GA 30263
Coweta County residents can shred 3 boxes of paper for free, and pay $3 per box after that. Out of county residents can shred for $8 per box.
More info
Saturday, October 12, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Norcross Public Works Dept.
345 Lively Ave.
Norcross, GA 30071
Norcross residents only. Paper shredding limited to 5 boxes per resident.
Click thru for info on other materials accepted — including electronics, scrap metal, glass, and hard-to-recycle materials.
More info
Saturday, December 7, 2024
8 a.m. to noon
Newnan City Hall
25 Lagrange St.
Newnan, GA 30263
Coweta County residents can shred 3 boxes of paper for free, and pay $3 per box after that. Out of county residents can shred for $8 per box.
More info
You may also be interested in:
- Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
- Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
- 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
- Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
- The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park
Past offers — we hope to update these soon, so please check back!
ONGOING OFFER in 2022
Multiple locations
The UPS Store is offering FREE shredding for up to 5 lbs of paper, through Dec. 31, 2022.
Just visit this page to find a participating location near you, and print the coupon to take with you. We recommend calling ahead of time, as some locations are asking you to make a shredding appointment.
Find a participating store, print coupon, or get more info
The fine print:
You can only redeem this offer once.
Restrictions may apply.
Note that store hours vary by location. Participation may also vary, as stores are independently owned and operated.
On average you can expect them to be open till 6 or 7 p.m. on week nights, and 3 to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Saturday, Oct. 8th, 2022
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1400 Parker Rd, Conyers
Rockdale County residents only — bring proof of residency and up to 4 boxes of paper.
More info here
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
10 a.m. to noon
Lithia Springs Public Library
Each vehicle can bring up to three (3) copy paper size boxes or three (3) kitchen trash bags. There is no need to remove binders, binder clips, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, or CDs/DVDs prior to shredding.
7100 Turner Dr.
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
More info here
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
9 a.m. to noon
McDonough Presbyterian Church — parking lot
Personal documents only — limit of (5) 30-gallon trash bags per vehicle.
427 McGarity Rd.
McDonough, GA 30252
More info here
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
8:30 a.m. to noon, or until the truck is full
ALPHARETTA RESIDENTS ONLY
Individuals and small businesses can safely shred confidential papers. This is a drive-thru event; you’ll stay in your car.
Limit 5 boxes per car.
Please bring a canned good to donate.
Alpharetta Dept. of Public Works
1790 Hembree Road
There is a recycling event for computers and electronics at the same time and place.
More info on the paper shredding event
Monday, Nov. 14, 2022
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Covington, GA
Note that this event is on the Newton County calendar, with absolutely no details. We’ll keep checking for updates as the event grows closer.
Saturday, June 11, 2022
8 a.m. to noon
FREE to Dekalb residents –– bring proof of residency.
LIMIT of 10 standard-size boxes of paper.
DeKalb County Sanitation Division
3720 Leroy Scott Drive
Decatur, GA 30032
More info here
April 6th to 23rd, 2022
Participating Office Max & Office Depot locations
Shred up to 5-lbs of paper FREE, with this coupon
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Keller Williams Real Estate
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3930 E Jones Bridge Rd
Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
Open to the public
More info
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Ameriprise Financial Services (Sandy Springs)
9 to 11 a.m.
Maximum 5 boxes per car
Location: 5855 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
More info
Saturday, April 23, 2022
9 a.m. to noon
Harry Norman Realtors (Perimeter office)
Open to the public
Location: 4848 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30338
More info
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Ocee Public Library (Johns Creek)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Secure document shredding at the Ocee Public Library, 5090 Abbotts Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30005.
More info
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors (Roswell)
9 to 11 a.m.
Maximum 5 boxes per car
Located at: 500 Sun Valley Dr. Suite A6, Roswell, GA 30076
More info
More upcoming events this week:
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Friday, April 19, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Monday, April 22, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
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