Somerset County Sets Secure Shred Event On June 27

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Somerset County residents will be able to dispose of personal documents at the county’s third Operation Secure Shred event of the year on Saturday, June 27, in Hillsborough.

The free drive-up shredding service is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Somerset County Public Works Garage, South County Facility, 410 Roycefield Road.

The event will be held rain or shine, but it could end before 1 p.m. if the trucks reach full capacity.

County residents from all 21 Somerset County municipalities may attend, regardless of which town is hosting the event.

No pre-registration is required, but participants must show proof of residency.

Accepted documents include a current driver’s license, valid lease, tax bill, or other paperwork showing a Somerset County address. Businesses and commercial vehicles are not allowed.

Residents may bring up to six boxes, containers, or bags of paper for shredding.

Staples and paper clips do not need to be removed. Junk mail, magazines, and newspapers will not be accepted.

Participants are asked to unload their own materials and take back empty containers. Staff will be available to help if needed.

The county said Operation Secure Shred is one of its more popular recycling events and asked residents to be prepared for possible delays.

"We appreciate your patience and understanding if there are long lines or a longer than normal wait time," according to the County.

The release said the program is intended to help residents protect personal information and lower the risk of identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, documents containing personal information should be shredded before disposal to help prevent theft.

Examples include medical records, tax information, bank statements, and documents containing Social Security numbers.

The county said its on-site shredding service gives residents a secure and convenient way to dispose of those papers.

Residents looking for future shredding dates, locations, or other recycling programs can visit the Somerset County recycling page at somersetcountynj.gov/government/public-works/recycling.

More information about Operation Secure Shred is available from the Somerset County Department of Public Works at 908-203-6018 or publicworks@somersetcountynj.gov.