Whether it’s dusty stacks of old pay stubs, mortgage or credit card statements, tax forms or utility bills, the threat of identity theft these days makes letting go tough.

That’s why Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, in honor of Earth Day 2015, is hosting a free “Shred-a-thon” event on Saturday, April 18. Personal paperwork will be safely shredded on-site beyond the leering eyes of identity thieves — and all the paper shreddings are recycled. More than 11,308 pounds of paper were shredded at last year’s event at Texas Health Denton, contributing to a total of almost 80,000 pounds at Texas Health facilities.

The on-site shredding services will be provided by Iron Mountain Incorporated. Individuals are allowed up to six boxes of paperwork — but cardboard, among other items, cannot be shredded. People will need to take their cardboard/totes back with them.

The Shred-a-thon day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Texas Health Denton, located at 3000 I-35 North, in the parking lot in front of the main hospital.

Items that can be shredded include:

• All paper
• Fasteners such as paper clips and staples
• Notebooks and spirals
• Business cards, brochures, banners, pamphlets and fliers

Items that are NOT to be shredded at this event include:

• Cardboard          
• Food or liquids of any type
• Glass, plastic, aluminum
• Batteries
• Wrappers
• Cans or bottles
• Metal objects
• CDs
• DVDs
• USB drives
• Hard drives
• Audio and video tape

Shred-a-Thon events are being held at seven hospitals across the Texas Health Resources system as well as at Texas Health headquarters in Arlington.

About Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton is a 255-bed acute-care, full-service hospital that has served North Texas and southern Oklahoma since 1987. The hospital’s services include orthopedics, cardiovascular services, oncology, pediatrics and women’s services. An affiliate of the faith-based, nonprofit Texas Health Resources system, Texas Health Denton is one of the largest employers in Denton County with more than 900 employees and 300 physicians on the medical staff practicing in more than 45 specialties. For more information, call 1-877-THR-WELL or visit TexasHealth.org/Denton.  

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