Any free, but still secure, mass document shredding/destruction?

[Cruise]

I'm cleaning out my home office and finally made it to a filing cabinet that was so damaged in our last move that I haven't been able to get it open for years. I finally wrestled with it till I got it open and I'm finding old receipts from 2004 in there. There's also old medical bills, etc.

It would take me forever to shred all this with a home shredder. Does anyone know of a way to shred or dispose of all this stuff without paying an arm and a leg to a commercial shredding company? I found some companies that offer occasional free community shredding events, but none are being held in the next three months.

If I were back east where I grew up, we'd just start a fire in a barrel on the back 40. But I don't have that option here. Any suggestions?

 

[miralys]

I know you said you found a company offering free shredding events, but try checking in with your local governments too. Mine offer such things, but the advertising is really bad, so if I hadn't asked I would have had no idea.

 

[solotraveler]

I second the suggestion to check with your local government. Ours does occasional shred days. I got rid of two huge boxes of documents... MUCH quicker than doing it at home.

 

[njmom47]

Our county does shredding days, but as op stated, you would probably have to check the website to see where and when.

 

[cluvsdisney]

This would be kind of a mess but what about soaking the paperwork in a bucket of water. The ink would run, the paper would either rip or dry in a clump that would be illegible after it dries.

 

[allison443]

Do you have any kids who are off school for the summer and might be saying "I'm bored"? Here's the solution

I would agree with the others about your community having free shredding events. My town has it a couple of times a year but it's not greatly publicized. If you found out one was coming up it might be worth waiting for...

 

[crispychicky]

Do you have a fireplace? I've burned old documents and receipts in our wood stove before.

 

[Cruise]

No kids and no fireplace. I could try to get my cat to lick them to death.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll check local government websites!

 

[chris31997]

Trash can and water hose If local gov't does not offer it, I would sit down during fav tv show and start working it. Eventually, you will get thru it.