Rhode Island Resource Recovery (RIRRC) will once again hold a free, sensitive document shredding event in honor of RI Recycles Day on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon.

R.I. residents who want to recycle their sensitive documents but are concerned about safeguarding their identity can bring their confidential documents to RIRRC at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston for shredding. Only personal documents generated in R.I. homes will be accepted; no documents from businesses, even home-based businesses, will be accepted.

“Hosting this shredding event at RIRRC services two purposes,” said Sarah Reeves, director of public policy, programs and planning at RIRRC. “Residents can feel confident that their sensitive documents are being properly managed, and RIRRC keeps valuable recyclables out of the Central Landfill. It’s a win-win.”

Tax returns, credit card statements, paycheck stubs, bank statements, cancelled checks, and medical records are all examples of sensitive, confidential documents. A sensitive or confidential document is one that contains a unique, identifying number that can be traced directly to a specific person, and which cannot be found readily through public searches. For example, a person’s name and address is not considered sensitive, confidential information. That information is easily found online through a variety of sources. A person’s Social Security number, or bank account number, cannot be found by the general public. Documents containing these numbers would be considered sensitive or confidential, and would be eligible for shredding.

The limit on Nov. 21 will be two containers full, similar in size to the old 22-gallon blue or 16-gallon green household recycling bins. Papers that are not sensitive or confidential in nature will not be shredded at this event. This includes file folders, magazines, mail, report cards, greeting cards, posters, blueprints, product warrantees, or papers generated at a workplace. That paper can be dropped off for recycling but will not be shredded. RIRRC also asks residents to remove large metal binder clips, rubber bands, and plastic bags prior to attending the event. All documents should be dry; wet documents will be disposed without being shredded.