North Alabama residents can clean out old paperwork, unwanted electronics and unused medications during a free drive-thru disposal event next month.

BBB North Alabama will host its annual Athens Shred Day on Oct. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, 1300 Lindsay Lane South.

The event, held in partnership with Family Security Credit Union and Gone For Good, will offer secure document destruction and electronics recycling. The Athens Police Department will also conduct a medication take-back.

“Shred Days are one of the most practical ways we help community members protect their personal information,” said Karen Reeves, president and CEO of BBB North Alabama. “Properly disposing of outdated documents and data-containing electronics is a simple step that can help reduce the risk of identity theft.”

Residents may bring up to three kitchen-sized bags or three standard file boxes of paper documents per vehicle. Binders and plastic or metal materials should be removed beforehand.

Electronics weighing less than 100 pounds will also be accepted, including cell phones, computers and most electronics with a cord. Kitchen appliances, tube monitors, batteries, VHS tapes, microfiche and microfilm will not be accepted.

For the medication take-back, residents may bring prescription, over-the-counter and veterinary medications. Needles and liquids cannot be accepted.

Gone For Good will collect the documents and electronics. Depending on volume, documents will either be shredded on-site or transported securely to the company’s Huntsville facility for destruction later that day. Electronics will be taken for secure destruction and recycling.

The event is free and will operate as a drive-thru while collection capacity lasts.

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