Safely destroy electronic data at SHRED-A-THON 2024
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — 8 On Your Side is hosting our annual Shred-A-Thon this Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon.
It’s a chance to get rid of old documents and electronics—safely—before they get in the wrong hands and potentially lead to identity theft.
You may be wondering what happens to your electronics and how you can know the data is destroyed.
How to shred your documents for FREE with 8 On Your Side
Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken went to the warehouse at Urban E. Recycling in Tampa to find out.
The warehouse is full of boxes of items that will be turned into something else. Data is destroyed and valuable pieces of the devices—retrieved from computers, cell phones, pretty much anything with copper—are recycled.
Greg Rabinowitz gave a first-hand look at what will happen to items his company collects at Shred-A-Thon. He said batteries are hot item this year, as well as old X-rays. When it comes to electronics, the data, he said, should always be shredded.
“Tablets need to be shredded,” Rabinowitz said. “Don’t put them back to factory settings. We don’t recommend it. It’s still recoverable in some manner. The best and effective destruction of data is to let somebody shred it for you.”
And this will set your mind at ease. The company destroys hard drives at its warehouse instead of wiping them and reselling the devices. Hard drives are put into a shredder one by one until nothing remains but tiny bits and dust.
Here’s what you need to know to prepare for Sunday’s Shred-A-Thon from 8 a.m. to noon.
You can bring up to four boxes of personal documents, including paper and electronic devices. We accept personal documents, no business-related documents. And remember, no metal binders and no cardboard and no plastic. WFLA staff members and volunteers will help unload your digital or paper items for no cost in this drive-through event.
The annual Shred-A-Thon, presented by Achieva Credit Union, will take place from 8 a.m. until noon at the South Parking Lot of Raymond James Stadium. It will be held in Lots 8, 9 and 10, located at 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.
Please note that southbound drivers will enter off Himes Avenue at Lot 8/10 and northbound drivers will enter off Dale Mabry Highway at Lot 9.
We will be closing the gates at noon so we can make sure everyone gets to the shredder before the event is over. So, get in line early.
8 On Your Side Shred-A-Thon
Date: Sunday May 5, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. – noon
Location: Raymond James Stadium – South Parking Lot
ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:
Desktops
Laptops
Note Books
e-Readers
Tablets
Cell Phones
House & Office Phones
Cables & Cords
Network/Telecom Equipment
LCD Monitors
Games Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation…)
Hard Drives
Cable Boxes
UPS Battery Backups
Electrics Motors
Circuit Boards
Battery Operated Hand Tools
Keyboards
Ink & Toner Cartridges
Printers
Scanners
Copy Machines
Fax Machines
Rechargeable Batteries
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