• Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland. You can reach her at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org.

 Q: Hey, Jennifer Jarland! When is Kane County holding events for confidential document shredding this year? Also, how do I recycle paper that has already been shredded?

A: Glad you asked!

First of all — for those of you who haven’t heard — Kane County has three free confidential document shredding events scheduled for 2017!

The events are scheduled in conjunction with the electronics, paint and books recycling events, held at the branch court office at 540 S. Randall Road in St. Charles. The events run from 8 a.m. to noon on April 1, July 8, and Nov. 11.

Here’s what you need to know about the free document-shredding service:

• Kane County provides on-site shredding trucks.
• The service is for residential material only, not for businesses.
• Quantity limit is four boxes (12 inches wide by 16 inches deep by 10 inches tall) or bags of equivalent size.
• Staples, paperclips, spiral bindings, file folders without metal, and cellophane envelope windows are fine to leave in.
• Residents must REMOVE all binder clips, three-ring plastic binders and any larger metal pieces.
• Kane County will receive documents for shredding only until the trucks are full.​

I will get back to more event information in a moment, but to answer your second question … If you have already shredded your documents at home, you can do one of two things:

• Take it to WestRock Paper Recycler, 417 S. 37th Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174. The hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 630-443-3538.
• Place your shredded paper in a paper bag, fold the top over and secure with one staple or one piece of tape. Write in large letters with a Sharpie “SHREDDED PAPER” on both sides of the bag, and place the paper bag in your recycling cart. Some collection companies say this is not full proof assurance of recycling. So it is best to take it to WestRock or bring your unshredded confidential ​documents to a Kane County shredding event, where recycling is guaranteed.

Q: What Is Considered Confidential and What Is Not?

A: Confidential information such as account numbers and details and Social Security numbers should be kept secure and destroyed.

However, information such as names, addresses and phone numbers are not considered confidential as they can be found in phone directories or in common records. Those kinds of information do not need to be shredded and can go in your household recycling bin.

Please DO NOT BRING periodicals, magazines, and other junk mail​ that does not contain confidential information to the recycling events, as it needlessly fills up the trucks.

April 1 Recycling Event Details

Here are the details for the April 1 event (no fooling!):

• When: 8 a.m. to noon April 1, 2017
• Where:  540 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, IL 60174
• Map: Due to the early voting happening at this location that same day, things are not where they normally are and the traffic is running clockwise, opposite of the normal flow. See this traffic map for the event.

What Kane County Will Be Accepting: 

• Electronics  — Free, except for TVs and monitors, which have a cost, see below.
• Books — Free, hard and soft covers, any age, any condition.
• Paint — Cost applies, liquid latex and oil paints, see Kane County Recycles ‘Paint Page.
• Confidential Document Shredding  — Free onsite shredding, for residential material only, see Kane County Recycles’ Document Shredding page​.

Costs:

• TVs and monitors — Recycling fees are $25 (for screens less than 21 inches, measured diagonally) or $35 (for screens of 21 inches or larger, measured diagonally). Pay online in advance HERE and bring your printed receipt or pay at event with cash or card only.​
• Latex Paint — Recycling fees are charged per can (Latex Paint: $2/quart, $3.50/gallon, $5.50/2-gallon, $10/5-gallon) payable by the resident with cash or check only.
• Oil Paint — Recycling fees are charged per can (Oil Paint: $6/quart, $9/gallon, $25/5-gallon, payable by the resident by cash or check only. Oil paint is accepted as a “one-stop-drop” convenience only. Please note: Oil-based paints and stains may be taken to the Naperville Hazardous Waste Facility for free! See details on this webpage!

More recycling information can be found at www.countyofkane.org/recycling.

Got questions? Contact Kane County Recycling Coordinator Jennifer Jarland at 630-208-3841 or recycle@countyofkane.org

Read the ‘Recycling Tips’ Series!

• Recycling Tip: How to Stop Junk Mail For Good!
• Recycling Tip: How to Stop the Scourge of Junk Mail (Part 2)