Five years ago, City Hall utilized the Pittsburgh-based company, Shred-it, to dispose of unneeded city documents. That event evolved into community-wide Shred Day, open to members of the public.

 

The next event will be held 9-noon – or until the Shred-it truck is full – Saturday, Oct. 26.

 

“This is always a well-utilized event and it’s important for the residents to dispose of documents properly and to rid their houses of clutter,” said Community Development Director Andrea Kerr. “It also cuts down on identity theft. So, any way that the city can help to administer that and help protect our residents, we jump on. The safety of our residents is one of our top priorities.”

 

Residents to take advantage of the service. One year – during which two Shred Days were held – the Pittsburgh-based Shred-it vehicle collected 75,000 pounds of shredded materials.

 

Shred-it provides tailored document destruction services that comply with legislation and ensure that confidential information is kept secure. Commonly shredded documentation includes financial statements, receipts and invoices. Individuals can obtain information from the State of West Virginia or their own accountants – to make sure what tax documentation and other personal paperwork should be kept and what can be discarded.

 

 Kerr said she has received positive feedback from residents, indicating that Shred Day is not only a nice, free service, but it is also environmentally friendly. 

 

Residents can bring any documents and there is no limit for the shredding service. Paper clips, staples and small clips need not be removed, Kerr said.

 

The Shred-it vehicle will be located in the Bridgeport Police Department parking lot near City Hall.

 

Going on simultaneously at the Bridgeport PD parking lot from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Oct. 26 will be the annual Drug Take-Back Day.

 

This is another free service, helping residents keep their homes and the community safe. The PD urges residents to bring in unwanted and unneeded prescription medications during designated hours of the national event, sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

  

Accepted are over-the-counter, controlled and non-controlled substances. The medicines can be disposed of in the original container or removed from the container and disposed directly in the box. If leaving the medicines in original containers, please remove any identifying information by removing the label or using a permanent marker to mark out personal information. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in original bottles.

 

The drug take-back initiative is not intended for intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes or medical waste. Illicit substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamines, will not be accepted.

 

Each year, between three and four large trash bags full of drugs are collected during the Bridgeport event. Any prescriptions can be discarded. There will be no question asked.

 

This method of disposal is ideal and can help prevent negative situations. Flushing drugs into the water system or placing them in the trash is never a good idea. And by leaving them in home medicine cabinets, residents put themselves at risk for break-ins and/or the drugs may serve as temptation to young people.

 

Combined, drug take back events around the nation make a positive impact with regard to the drug epidemic, law enforcers said.

Although Oct. 26 has been designated drug take-back day, residents are free to dispose of unwanted and/or unneeded drugs on a regular basis by taking them to Bridgeport Police Department. 

 

Also scheduled for Oct. 26 is the laying of the cornerstone of the Indoor Sports and Recreation Complex by Masonic Late Lodge 63. That ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. More details will be provided as they become available.