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Burlington County To Hold Free Paper Shredding Event on May 5

The event is free and allows Burlington County residents to safely shred and recycle confidential documents such as bank and credit card statements, and tax returns.

Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel assists with the collection of paper during a previous Burlington County Free Paper Shredding Event. (Photo courtesy: Burlington County)

Spring is here and residents undertaking some spring cleaning will want to take advantage of a free paper shredding event that will be held on Sunday, May 5 from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex located at 22000 Burlington-Columbus Road in Florence.


The event is free and allows residents to safely shred and recycle confidential documents such as bank and credit card statements, tax returns, and other papers with sensitive information, such as account and Social Security information in an environmentally friendly way.

Last year, more than 5,100 residents safe-recycled a total of 73 tons of paper during the County shredding events. More than 390 pounds of plastic wrap and film materials were also recycled during the events.

“Burlington County is a state leader in recycling. It’s partly because of free programs like this one that allow our residents to conveniently and safely dispose of financial papers and other sensitive documents,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Tom Pullion, the liaison to the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling. “It’s a great County service that promotes recycling and sustainability.”

Shredding is reserved for Burlington County residents only (out-of-county residents, businesses and nonprofits will be turned away) and only confidential paper materials will be accepted at the event. Magazines, junk mail and household trash will not be accepted, nor will binders, plastic folders, computer discs or credit cards.

Identification is required and a limit of four bags or boxes will be accepted. Bags and boxes must be limited to 10 pounds each and should be placed in the trunk or cargo areas so staff can easily remove them. Already shredded paper is also accepted.

Additionally, the County will collect clean and dry plastic bubble wrap, plastic shipping mailers and plastic wrap from cases of water or the plastic wrap around paper products during the shredding events. These materials must be bagged separately from papers and be dry and free of food residue.

All collected plastics will be recycled through a County partnership with Trex, a Virginia-based company that manufactures composite decking and railing from these materials.

“Every pound of paper and plastic we recycle correctly reduces landfill waste and saves our towns and taxpayers money on disposal fees, so we encourage residents to take advantage of these programs,” said Pullion.

Residents with questions about the shredding or plastics recycling collections can email recycle@co.burlington.nj.us .

Residents are also encouraged to download Burlington County’s free Recycle Coach app from the Apple App Store or GooglePlay store for the latest information about what materials should be recycled and updates and alerts about collection schedules in each town. Residents without smartphones can also get the information online at burlcorecycles.com.

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