Dept. of Consumer Protection plans shredding events

HARTFORD, May 6 – Although the skies continually threatened rain, hundreds of state residents turned out on Friday in Meriden and on Saturday at six locations statewide, with their boxes, bundles and bags of personal documents to be shredded at a free event sponsored by the Department of Consumer protection and Shred-it..

“More than nine tons of paper containing personal information was destroyed at this event, saving hundreds of individuals from the potential headache and heartache of finding themselves victim to identity thieves,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. said today. “Visitors to the shredding sites were amazed at how quickly and easily years’ worth of paper was safely shredded, and most commented on their relief that the burden had been lifted.”

Farrell said the shredded paper (91 trees worth) will be recycled into paper towels, so natural resources are preserved.

“Overall, the experience was so positive that we intend to collaborate with Shred-It on another widespread shredding event on Saturday, September 13th, to provide this service to anyone who may have missed us this time around,” Farrell said. “Exact locations will be posted in the next few weeks on our website at www.ct.gov/dcp.”