Ideas On Effectively, Quickly, Easily, & Inexpensively Discarding Sensitive Documents Without A Shredder?

Question

My parents would like to discard a bunch of boxes containing sensitive documents. They're worried about someone getting a hold of their Social Security numbers from some of these documents. Instead of them having to go through box after box, putting one piece of paper at a time in the shredder, how can we quickly, effectively, efficiently, and inexpensively discard these documents in one fell swoop? Any ideas- even if they sound a bit strange- are appreciated, as long as the information on these documents will be rendered useless in an incredibly efficient manner as possible. I'm just trying to help my parents and I don't want them to have to go through the misery of shredding a good percentage of these documents. Please help!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Some larger banks have a "Free Shredding Day" ...you can take up to 1000 pounds of paper and shred it for free... you'd probably have to do it yourself though, and you or the company you work for, or a friend would have to be a customer.

If you have a charcoal/wood burning grill, take the grate off of it, place the paper in there a little at a time, and burn it...clean it out when you're done. Or, build a SMALL, SAFE firepit in the backyard. (Rocks, bricks, etc... away from dry grass... wet the area several feet around it before starting...) and burn smaller amounts of the paper (which may be illegal in some places if the fire is too big...)

Or, burn it in a fire place.

I can't really think of any faster way of completely getting rid of them than burning them. and Ash is a GREAT Fertilizer.

Answer 2

If you are talking about a way to chemically destroy the documents, I would caution against doing it yourself. I know you said you wouldn't use shredders, but I think that is the safest way to destroy the documents, if you are going to do it yourself. There are some fast industrial shredders out there.

Answer 3

You can still shred them, then mix up the shreds. NOBODY is going to put that back, I tell you!

Burning... check with your town for a permit. Anything releasing that amount of particulate into the air may have to be approved beforehand

Just soak them in a large container, add bleach or food coloring to discolor and make them illegible, then discard in your trash

Answer 4

A shredding service is the best bet as they will shred and recycle all the boxes in a few moments. The most cost effective option for homes is Ship'n'Shred.

Answer 5

Probably cheaper than buying a shredder but still costing money would be to deliver them to a document shredding firm that businesses use. If you deliver them, it should be much cheaper than their sending a truck out.

Answer 6

Well, for starters there's always a match...

but seriously... there are document shredding services that can take care of large amounts of paperwork that needs to be shredded. If you really have THAT much, you might want to look one up.

Answer 7

Definetely a fire... It's quickly, effectively, efficiently, and inexpensively - like you said!

But be careful to burn all the papers, not to leave anything behind.

Answer 8

I wouldn't give important papers, or ship them to anyone or company. I'd just get a metal can or BBQ grill and burn them myself one evening. :-)

Answer 9

Paper making? Adding dyes and such wouldn't be too bad either. Plus, it's more environment friendly than the bonfire.

-If you want, a blender and water will make the job easier.

Answer 10

Do you have a lighter and a metal container.