MONTREAL (RecyclingMonster): Dane County will host its annual Shred Fest and electronics recycling event this Friday, giving residents a secure and convenient way to dispose of sensitive paper records and small electronic devices at a single free recycling event.

Dane County Shred Fest and Electronics Recycling Event at Warner Park

The 2026 Dane County Shred Fest and electronics recycling event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Warner Park, located at 2930 N. Sherman Avenue in Madison. The free paper shredding and electronics recycling event is being organized as part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month and is led by Dane County Adult Protective Services.

To deliver the large-scale community recycling program, Dane County is partnering with Pellitteri Data Destruction Division, the Agency on Aging, Dane County Department of Waste & Renewables, Dane County Highway & Transportation Department, and the City of Madison.

Expanded Paper Shredding and Small Electronics Recycling Services

This year’s Shred Fest has been expanded beyond secure document shredding to also include recycling for small electronic devices. The broader collection effort aims to help residents safely clear out both confidential paperwork and outdated personal electronics in one visit, supporting responsible data destruction and electronics recycling in Dane County.

Residents may bring documents such as bank statements, tax returns, checkbooks, and receipts for secure destruction at the free document shredding event. Accepted small electronics include cell phones, laptops, tablets, and e-readers, which will be directed into appropriate electronics recycling streams rather than household trash.

On-Site Assistance for Residents at the Shred Fest

Volunteers will be available throughout the Dane County Shred Fest and electronics recycling event to help attendees unload vehicles and move materials to the designated collection areas. That added on-site assistance is expected to make participation easier, especially for seniors and residents bringing multiple boxes of paper for shredding or several small electronic devices for recycling.

Secure Disposal Supports Fraud and Elder Abuse Prevention

County officials note that the free paper shredding and electronics recycling event also supports broader efforts to reduce the risk of financial exploitation and identity theft. According to local officials, older residents in Dane County lost about $6.1 million last year to financial scams and extortion, underscoring the importance of securely destroying sensitive personal information and responsibly recycling old electronics that may contain stored data.