BBB Helps Community Shred Over 10,600 Pounds of Paper

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas held its annual shredding events in Tyler on Saturday, April 18, and in Van on Friday, April 24. The two events invited the public to bring unwanted sensitive material to be shredded safely. Over 10,600 pounds of paper was collected, safely destroyed, and recycled between both shredding events, according to a BBB news release.

“Every year, we are able to help the East Texas community with these identity protection events,” said Kaylen Burgess, Community Outreach Specialist for BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Identity theft has been prominent for decades, so providing these types of services helps us fulfill our mission here at BBB.” More than 100 BBBs across the United States and Canada participated in this simultaneous event. BBB will hold another two events during National Protect Your Identity Week, October 17-23. Burgess said the Van and Tyler shreddings “saved 90 trees and approximately 37,100 gallons of water, not to mention the countless number of identities that were protected.”

Event sponsors were Tyler Beverage Inc., Proforma Horizon Total Source, and Design Center Signs. Secure shredding services were provided by Ark-La-Tex Shredding Company, electronic recycling was provided by STS Electronic Recycling, and cardboard disposal and recycling services were provided by Allied Waste Systems. Participants were given information coupled with expert advice and resources for protecting personal information from identity thieves, according to the news release. Call (903) 581-5704 or visit http://www.bbb.org for more information, and to be placed on a reminder list for upcoming BBB events.