‘Shredfest 2008’ shredding up Saturday

The bank’s Shredfest 2008 will be 8 a.m. to noon Saturday in the back parking lot at Peoples’ main bank, Fifth and Main streets.

Regardless of whether you’re a Peoples customer or not, you can bring up to five boxes of old documents and personal papers to be shredded.

Newspapers and newsprint will not be accepted. Peoples Bank reserves the right to reject any items during Shredfest.

Each of the first 50 cars that bring items to be shredded also will receive cloth grocery bags as well, Wayne Duderstadt, president of Peoples Bank-Ottawa, said.   

“Shredfest 2008 helps prevent identity theft and the shredded material is all recycled, protecting the environment,” Duderstadt said. “We think both of those things are good for our community.”

Shredfest is a first for the Ottawa bank, he said.

Other Peoples locations have tried the idea.

“They were really busy,” Duderstadt said. “There were a lot of people who showed up and they seemed to appreciate it.”

Everyone has become more aware of and concerned about identity theft, he said.

A commercial shredder, mounted on a heavy truck chassis, will do the honors, rain or shine.

At the same time, people like the idea of the shredded paper being recycled, he said.

“The environment is very popular now,” he said.

The free canvas shopping bags to the first visitors reinforce the green theme, he said.

“I’m anxious to see how many people show up,” Duderstadt said. “I’m surprised by how many people have said they like the idea.

“I hope they show up.”