BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Somerset County residents will have a chance to safely dispose of personal documents at the county's second Operation Secure Shred event of the year on Saturday, May 16, in Bridgewater.
The free drive-up shredding service is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Somerset County Public Works Garage, North County Facility, 411 Chimney Rock Road, Bridgewater.
The event will be held rain or shine and could end before 1 p.m. if the shredding trucks reach full capacity.
Operation Secure Shred is a popular recycling event, and the county asks residents to be patient if lines are long or wait times are longer than usual.
Residents from all 21 Somerset County municipalities may attend, regardless of which municipality is hosting.
No pre-registration is required, but participants must show proof of Somerset County residency, such as a current driver's license, valid lease, tax bill or another document showing a county address. Businesses and commercial vehicles are not allowed.
Participants may bring as many as six boxes, containers or bags of paper for shredding. Staples and paper clips do not have to be removed. Junk mail, magazines and newspapers will not be accepted.
Residents are being asked to unload their own items and take back empty receptacles, though staff will be available to assist if needed.
The program is intended to help residents protect personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, documents containing personal information should be shredded before disposal to help prevent theft.
The county listed medical records, tax information, bank statements and documents containing Social Security numbers among the examples of materials residents may want to destroy securely.
The county's on-site shredding service offers residents a secure and convenient way to discard those materials responsibly during seasonal cleanouts.
More information about identity theft is available through the Federal Trade Commission at consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-online-security.
Residents looking for additional shredding dates, locations or recycling programs can visit somersetcountynj.gov/government/public-works/recycling.
For more information about Operation Secure Shred, contact the Somerset County Department of Public Works at 908-203-6018 or publicworks@somersetcountynj.gov.
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