Prince william county shred day 2022

Due to ongoing labor shortages, the schedule for two shredding events has changed. Updates and cancellations are shown below.

The document shredding service is open to residents of Fairfax County, Clifton, Herndon, the Town of Vienna, and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church only. Businesses, including home-based businesses, are not invited to participate.

Shredding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Events are from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., unless the trucks fill up prior to the end time. All participants must be in line by 11 a.m. to be served. Please be aware, however, that when the shredding trucks are full, the event will end.

There is a four (4) box limit, based on standard banker/copy box size (12.5” W x 15.5” L x 10.5” H). If you bring documents in plastic bags, please do not tie them. All boxes, plastic/paper bags, or other containers will be returned to you after emptying.

Due to traffic and safety concerns, you may not exit your vehicle or stay in the area to watch shredding. The contractor guarantees all documents will be shredded on-site.

2022 Shredding Dates

The event schedules is subject to change. Please check this site for updates prior to coming to the event.

Event Procedures

• Documents from businesses are not accepted.
• Residents can bring up to four (4) medium sized boxes.
• Shredding events start at 7 a.m.
• All cars must be in line by 11 a.m., no exceptions.
• Residents must wear masks when engaging with event staff.
• Residents must remain in their vehicles.
• Residents should open trunks or car doors from within the vehicle to allow staff access to their documents.
• Event staff will remove boxes from cars and trucks and empty paper into rolling carts.
• Boxes, bags, or bins will be returned to residents for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
• Full carts are taken to the shredding truck and emptied into the truck for shredding. shredder.
• All documents are cross-cut shred on-site, by a private contractor, on the day of the event.
• All shredded paper is delivered to a local recycling facility for processing.
• Written certification of shredding will not be provided.

Prohibited

• Business documents
• Binders of any kind (3-ring, plastic, spiral, metal)
• Plastic document covers
• Wet, damp, or moldy paper
• Hanging file folders with metal support bars
• Metal binder clips
• Electronic media including computer disks, diskettes, or CDs
• Books, either hardback or paperback
• Credit cards
• Magazines, catalogs, and newspapers
• Film or photographs

Fairfax County will not shred documents for businesses – even if documents are delivered by an employee who is a county resident. These events are only for residents to destroy sensitive material they have from their home. If you require written certification of document destruction, it is recommended that you contract directly with a shredding service provider.

For additional information, please contact us at 703-324-5230, TTY 711.

See Also

• Document Shredding Event Video
• A-Z List of Recycling and Trash Topics
• Recycle or Trash? Index of Residential Materials