Organize a Shredding Event

Contact FileShred and other shredding companies for expert advice. These professionals can help you streamline the process and shorten your learning curve, ensuring your event runs smoothly.

People love to volunteer, so don’t hesitate to ask! Reach out to employees, church members, family, friends, and colleagues. You might be surprised by the interest, and the more people you get involved, the more successful your event will be.

Gather everyone who wants to participate and explain the goals of the shredding event. Encourage volunteers to share their ideas on how to promote the event and engage the community. The more input you gather, the better your event will be.

• Event Coordinator: The person responsible for overall organization and documentation, ensuring future events are easier to plan.
• Volunteer Recruiter: Responsible for bringing in more volunteers.
• Promotions Lead: Handles marketing and spreading the word about the event.
• Set-Up Crew: In charge of organizing the event space before it begins.
• Guest Greeters: Welcome attendees and direct them where to go.
• Event Directors: Answer questions and guide guests throughout the event.
• Handout Personnel: Provide guests with information about your services or organization. Take advantage of the captive audience!
• Event Tracker: Monitor guest attendance and the amount of paper shredded. This data is valuable for public relations and future events.

• Date, time and duration of the event
• Where the event will take place
• How you will advertise the event
• List of responsibilities of the event and job descriptions
• What limitations on guests such as limiting quantity to be shredded, is it for both individuals and businesses?

• If this is for charity, how will you generate donations
• Any sponsors and their contact information
• What printing and handouts are used , consider “Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft” tips sheet
• What information your will gather about the event
• What shredding company you will use

• Although FileShred LLC will be your best option you should speak to number of shredding companies so you can be comfortable with your choice. Try to work with an established company with a good reputation for integrity and customer service like FileShred.
• Ask for references because working with a shredding company with experience with shredding events will make your life easier.
• Look at online reviews to get insight into how well local companies treat their customers.

• Understand how the shredding company is going to charge you. It could be a flat rate for the duration of the event. If it is a charity event consider paying a percentage of the donations.
• Most successful shredding events take about three hours.
• Be sure to look for a company that performs on-site services rather than a company that moves documents to a warehouse and shreds them there.

• Check to see if permits are required.
• Is insurance necessary
• Be sure to find a space large enough for the shredding trucks and convenient access for guests.

• Parking lots in churches, shopping center, office buildings, schools, parks are locations to consider.
• Consider alerting emergency personnel about the event, let them make suggestions and be onsite for the event.

• Contact local media and press advertisements
• Post your event on community bulletin boards in churches, libraries, schools, coffee shops or any retail location that has a community bulletin board.

• Flyers – Hand them out, put them on cars
• Internet posts – Social Media, local event web pages and online message boards.

• Have a final meeting with all people involved with the shredding event to review the event from start to finish. The final event outline should be given to everyone involved.
• Consider a dress code with a common color or t-shirts for the event so that your guests can identify the team. Choose a color that stands out.

• Have name tags for each team member
• Review hand-outs
  Are tables and chairs necessary
• Bathroom access should be considered
• Water should be available for the event team

• The team should arrive early enough to be set up and be ready for guests.
• Make sure the event team are all in the right location to perform their roles for the event such as greeting guests, directing traffic, coordinating the guest line, helping guests and cleaning after the event is over.

• Keep track of time for the event.
• If possible have emergency personnel onsite.
• Keep lines moving don’t let anyone guest take advantage