A look inside the Shred-A-Thon; from paper to dust

LYNCHBURG (WSLS 10) - WSLS 10 is working together with Kodiak Shredding and Schewel's furniture stores to help protect your identity with the return of WSLS 10's most popular event, the semi-annual Shred-A-Thon.

The month-long, free event kicks off in Bedford October 26, with additional events scheduled each Monday through November 23.

This time around, new equipment is making the process safer at Kodiak Shredding. Owner Toni Henry says millions of sensitive documents are brought to Kodiak's Lynchburg facility from homes, businesses and even government agencies, all with the reassurance they'll be destroyed.

"There are high security clearance operations in and around the state that come to us because they need this fine, fine, shred, " Henry said.

While clients who use the facility cannot be named, Henry says they range from small businesses to government agencies.

"They come with guards, security guards, sometimes just come in the place just to watch it be processed," Henry said.

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The documents are brought in under lock-and-key, then hauled straight to the shredder. This year, Kodiak has new shredding equipment that will shred documents more finely than ever before. The new process turns documents into powder. There's no way any information is left to find.

The dust particles are then bailed up, shipped out and put to good use. In fact, Henry says all dust particles and paper shreds are recycled into toilet paper, paper towels and even gift wrap.

"Things the public can use," Henry said.

At a time when identity theft is a world-wide concern, Henry says it doesn't pay to take chances. Now, you don't have to.

The same service high-security clearance agencies use to protect themselves is free to you during the WSLS 10 Shred-A-Thon.