On Friday, August 5, University Facilities and Services sponsored its twelfth annual Shred Fest, where University of Rochester members were able to have their personal documents securely shredded and recycled. A total of 414 cars dropped off 15,240 pounds (7.62 tons) of paper. Shred Fest is held in collaboration with Iron Mountain, the company that shreds all of the University’s own confidential papers.
Why is Shred Fest important?
People often choose to dispose of their sensitive documents in the trash, rather than the recycling bin to protect their privacy and minimize the risk of identity theft. Shred Fest allows people to divert their sensitive documents from the landfill by offering them a safe and secure opportunity to shred and recycle their documents. Iron Mountain’s shred truck has a camera inside to allow any interested participants to watch their documents get shredded in real time.
Shred Fest is a popular event in the University community with many people looking forward to it and planning far in advance. Cathy Dierna from Facilities Finance and Human Resources said, “I put it on my calendar every year! It’s a great way to keep my personal stuff safe. As soon as today is done I’m going to start my collection for next year.”
How does Shred Fest run so efficiently?
Participants do not need to get out of their vehicles when they drop off their documents. Instead, volunteers greet them and unload the documents into lockable 65-gallon containers. Once the containers are full they are wheeled over to the Iron Mountain shred truck where they are securely shredded on-site. The five bags/boxes per customer limit has improved the customer experience at Shred Fest by keeping the line moving quickly and ensuring that the shred truck can keep up with all of the material as it comes in.
Jake Jakubowski from University IT stated, “It’s pretty convenient even though I live a half hour away. Great way to clean out the house once a year.”
What was the result?
414 cars dropped off documents at Shred Fest totaling 15,240 pounds (7.62 tons) of paper to be shredded and recycled. That is close to the previous year’s total and surpassing the weight of the largest land mammal, an African elephant!
The first Shred Fest was held in 2011 and has grown to become a very popular event. Over the past twelve events, Shred Fest has collected and recycled 215,500 pounds (108 tons) of paper.
Anyone who missed this year’s Shred Fest or had more than five bags/boxes to shred can visit EcoPark, a facility for Monroe County residents that offers many recycling services, including paper shredding.
Sustainability Coordinator Amy Kadrie manages the event and would like to thank all of the volunteers at Shred Fest, Iron Mountain, and everyone who came to recycle their documents for making this event possible. Event volunteers from left to right in the above photo: Patrick Rivers (Materials Management), Noah Patterson (Horticulture and Grounds), Amy Kadrie ( – Sustainability Office ), Aidan Sullivan (student volunteer), Kim VanOrman (Facilities Customer Service Center), Zein Tynon ( – Sustainability Office ), Sarah Woodams (Support Operations), Pete Schweickhard (Iron Mountain), Mike Hendricks (Facilities Customer Service Center), and Sherin George ( – Sustainability Office ). Not pictured: Axel Colon (Materials Management). Transportation and Parking helped by putting up directive signage and blocking off the event area.
For more pictures of the event, check out our Facebook album. Check up on the Green Dandelion and follow @ursustainable on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to hear about upcoming events and other sustainability programs at the University.
Written by Sarah Woodams ‘24(T5)