Tucsonans can do their part to reduce the millions of tons of electronic waste that ends up in landfills, protect against identity theft and support local non-profits at an event scheduled Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at BBB of Southern Arizona, 434 S. Williams Blvd.

BBB has partnered with Pima Council on Aging, RISE and Arizona Verified Information Destruction (AVID), for ShredFest ‘09. Organizers are offering electronics and cell phone e-cycling in addition to secure, on-site shredding. Donations for on-site shredding are requested.

What to Bring
Computer equipment such as: PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, powers strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, small TVs (32″ or smaller, no consoles) cell phones with batteries. NOTE: There will be a $15 charge for television sets.

Documents for shredding such as: old tax returns, bank statements, check book registers, credit card statements, medical records, NO PLASTIC PLEASE. That means no three ring binders, presentation folders or garbage bags. We’ll accept data CD’s if they are separated from paperwork. NOTE: There is a five box limit on paperwork.

Donations
Donations for shredding are appreciated. Your donations will support BBB’s community and military outreach programs.  Electronics and cell phone donations are free with the exception of televisions, which incur a charge of $15. All phone and electronic donations are tax deductible.

Where’s my stuff going?

Electronics: All electronic items will be collected by RISE Recycling of Tucson, a special type of nonprofit corporation with a “community development” mission. Generous support from the City of Tucson has enabled RISE to provide employment opportunities to low income adults, the homeless, and other disadvantaged Tucsonans. In 2007 RISE employed more than 25 individuals, created four new full time jobs, provided job training to more than 250 individuals, and assisted 40 individuals in obtaining affordable housing.

Did you know? According to the EPA, of the 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products ready for disposal in 2007, only 18% (414,000 tons) was collected for recycling and 82% (1.84 million tons) went primarily to landfills.

Cell Phones: Cell phones are being collected by Pima Council on Aging as a fundraising effort. PCOA advocates for senior citizens in Pima County, offering many valuable programs including care giver programs, congregate and delivered meals, medical assistance, home repair, elder rights and medicare/insurance counseling.

Did you know? Nationwide, 130 million cellular phones go out of use annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That creates an estimated 65,000 tons of electronic garbage.

Paperwork: All paperwork will be securely shred on-site by locally owned Arizona Verified Information Destruction (AVID). All shredded material is recycled. As an affordable risk management tool, outsourcing to a reputable “On-Site” shredding company like AVID has become a normal, economical and accepted part of doing business today. AVID, a BBB Accredited Business, has donated secure shredding service for this event for three years. They offer an array of convenient services to businesses and consumers in southern Arizona. For more information visit www.avidshred.com.

Did you know? Arizona is the identity theft capital of the U.S.

For more information please contact BBB at 888-5353 or visit www.tucson.bbb.org/shredfest.