Errand Desk plain answers for paperwork errands

Guide · Shredding · All figures last checked

Where to shred documents: prices and free options (2026)

Staples, Office Depot and OfficeMax, The UPS Store and FedEx Office all take paper for shredding, and most charge by the pound. Some counties and credit unions also hold free shred days. This page uses only each organization's official pages, and says so when a national price isn't published.

Short version: FedEx Office publishes a national price of $1.49 per pound at select locations [4]. Staples, Office Depot and The UPS Store charge by weight but don't publish one national price. Store pages we found show, for example, $0.99/lb at an OfficeMax and $1.25 or $2 per pound at two UPS Store locations [3][7][8]. For free shredding, check your county or city recycling page and local credit unions for a shred day [10][11][12][13][14].

How much does it cost to shred documents? Store-by-store table

Only what each company's own website says. "No national price published" means the company's national page doesn't list one, usually because prices are set by location or franchise. Store prices below are examples from individual store pages, not national prices.

StorePriceHow it worksShredding partner
Staples No national price published. Staples says shredding is charged by "cost per pound" but doesn't list the rate [1]. Bring items "to the print center to be assessed and accepted by a Staples associate" [1]. Not stated on the in-store page. Staples sells one-time pickup shredding "in partnership with Iron Mountain" [2].
Office Depot / OfficeMax No national price published. Example: the OfficeMax store page in Salinas, CA says "Purchase same-day shredding service at only $0.99/lb" [3]. Drop documents in in-store bins [3]. Same Day Service doesn't apply to "Shredding (over 50 pounds)" [6]. Iron Mountain [3][5]
The UPS Store No national price published. Locations are independently set: "Products, services, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location" [9]. Examples: Iowa City, IA, "Only $1.25 per lb!" [8]. Charlotte, NC (Rea Rd), "Shredding is $2 per pound" [7]. "We'll weigh your documents and then you'll place them into the secured, locked shredding bin." "Appointments are available at many locations" [9]. Iron Mountain [9]
FedEx Office $1.49 per lb in store, at select locations [4]. FedEx Office inside Walmart lists "Shredding $1.09/lb." at participating locations [15]. Documents are weighed at the counter and placed in locked shred bins. No appointment required. No set minimum, but large quantities may be subject to store capacity [4]. Iron Mountain [4]

Prices can differ by store. Call the location before you bring a large amount.

How much does it cost to shred at Staples?

Staples doesn't publish a per-pound rate. Its recycling page says in-store shredding is priced by "cost per pound," and that you bring items to the print center to be assessed and accepted by an associate [1]. Call your store for its rate.

For larger jobs, Staples sells one-time pickup shredding "in partnership with Iron Mountain." As an example, the one-bin option (65 gallons, up to 230 lbs) was listed at $210.39 on Oct 27, 2026, and Iron Mountain contacts you "within 72 business hours" to schedule drop-off and pickup [2]. Online prices can change.

Staples accepts items such as adhesive notes, blueprints, receipts, stapled paper, photographs, file folders and notebooks. It doesn't accept binders, cardboard, CDs/DVDs/Blu-ray, computer discs, hardcover books, hanging folders, ID badges or driver's licenses, large binder clips, microfiche or microfilm, plastic bags or packing material, telephone books, transparencies, VCR and backup tapes, or X-rays [1].

How much does it cost to shred at Office Depot or OfficeMax?

Office Depot's national shredding page doesn't list a per-pound price [5]. Store pages do. For example, the OfficeMax in Salinas, CA (store #6260) says you can drop documents in in-store bins and "Purchase same-day shredding service at only $0.99/lb" [3]. Check your own store's page or call.

Office Depot also offers recurring pickup with Iron Mountain (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly), using 65-gallon (about 230 lbs) and 32-gallon (about 100 pounds) bins. A third-party provider contacts you within 3 business days to schedule. Residential pickup "may be limited by area, and is currently not available in Alaska and Hawaii" [5].

Office Depot's help page says Same Day Service doesn't apply to "Shredding (over 50 pounds)" [6].

How much does it cost to shred at The UPS Store?

There's no national price. The UPS Store's shredding page says products, services and pricing "may vary by location" [9]. Two store pages, as examples:

The store weighs your documents and you place them in a locked bin. Iron Mountain handles the shredding [9]. The store pages say you don't need to remove staples, clips or folders. They can't take large bulldog clips, transparencies, hanging folders, lever-arch or three-ring binders, CDs and DVDs, hardcover books, telephone books or cardboard [7][8].

How much does it cost to shred at FedEx Office?

FedEx Office lists in-store shredding at $1.49 per pound, at select locations. Documents are weighed at the counter, placed in locked bins and shredded off-site by Iron Mountain, then recycled. No appointment is required. There's no set minimum, but large amounts depend on store capacity, so call ahead for big jobs [4].

FedEx Office says staples, paper clips, rubber bands and small binder clips are OK. It can't take electronic media, credit cards, laminated items, binders, cardboard, books, plastics, metals and other items that can't go directly into a shred bin [4].

FedEx Office locations inside Walmart list "Shredding $1.09/lb." Services are in store only at participating locations and may vary [15].

Where can I shred documents for free?

Many counties, cities and credit unions hold free shred days, often with a mobile shred truck. Availability, eligibility and limits vary a lot. These are examples, not a complete list:

Some of these dates have passed. They're here to show what to look for. Search your county or city website for "shred day" or "paper shredding," and check local credit union and bank event pages.

What should I shred?

Lorain County's shredding page gives examples of what residents bring: bank statements and canceled checks, pay and income records, tax returns, property tax bills, credit card receipts and statements, legal documents such as wills, trusts and contracts, and school transcripts, resumes or other papers with sensitive personal information [10]. First American Credit Union's event lists credit card receipts, bills, canceled checks, bank statements, photos and calendars [14].

Before you shred, make sure you don't still need the document, for example for tax records. If you're unsure how long to keep something, ask whoever issued it or a tax professional.

Tips before you go

  1. Call first for a big load. FedEx Office says large quantities depend on store capacity, and Office Depot's same-day service excludes jobs over 50 pounds [4][6].
  2. Remove what they can't take. Binders, hanging folders, cardboard, hardcover books and CDs/DVDs are on the no list at Staples, The UPS Store and FedEx Office [1][4][7].
  3. Staples and small clips are usually fine. FedEx Office and The UPS Store store pages say you don't need to remove them, but Lorain County's free drop-off checks for them, so ask [4][7][10].
  4. Bring proof of residency to county events. Calvert County requires it [11].
  5. Want a digital copy first? See where to scan documents. Need a fresh paper copy? See how much it costs to print.

FAQ

How much does it cost to shred at Staples?

Staples doesn't publish a national per-pound price. Its recycling page says in-store shredding is charged by cost per pound at the print center, so call your store for the rate [1].

How much does FedEx Office charge to shred?

FedEx Office lists $1.49 per pound for in-store shredding at select locations. FedEx Office inside Walmart lists $1.09 per pound at participating locations [4][15].

How much does The UPS Store charge to shred?

There's no national price, because pricing may vary by location. Two store pages, as examples: $1.25 per pound in Iowa City, IA, and $2 per pound in Charlotte, NC [7][8][9].

Does Office Depot shred documents?

Yes, with Iron Mountain. There's no national price on its shredding page. One example store page, the OfficeMax in Salinas, CA, lists same-day shredding at $0.99/lb [3][5].

Where can I shred documents for free?

Check your county or city recycling page and local credit unions. Examples include Lorain County, OH, which offers free drop-off shredding for residents, and Monmouth County, NJ and Calvert County, MD, which hold free shred events. Lake Michigan Credit Union and First American Credit Union have held free public shred days [10][11][12][13][14].

Do I need to remove staples before shredding?

Usually not at stores. FedEx Office says staples, paper clips and small binder clips are OK, and The UPS Store store pages say you don't need to remove staples or clips. Binders and large clips must come off [4][7].

Sources

All sources last checked Oct 27, 2026. Store, county and credit union pages are examples, and prices and events can differ by location.

  1. Staples, "Recycling" (shredding FAQs): staples.com/stores/recycling (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  2. Staples, "Iron Mountain - One time shred, up to 1 bin": staples.com/iron-mountain-one-time-shred-1-65-gallon-bin/product_24402797 (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  3. Office Depot, OfficeMax Salinas, CA #6260, "Shredding Services": officedepot.com/storelocator/ca/salinas/officemax-6260/shredding-services (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  4. FedEx Office, "Shredding Services": office.fedex.com/default/shredding-services (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  5. Office Depot, "Shredding Services": officedepot.com/l/print-and-copy/shredding (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  6. Office Depot, "In-Store Pickup" help (Same Day Service exclusions): officedepot.com/l/help/instore-pickupv2 (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  7. The UPS Store, 9935 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC, "Shredding": locations.theupsstore.com/nc/charlotte/9935-rea-rd/shredding (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  8. The UPS Store, 450 Hwy 1 West, Iowa City, IA, "Shredding": locations.theupsstore.com/ia/iowa-city/450-hwy-1-west/shredding (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  9. The UPS Store, "Shredding Services": theupsstore.com/store-services/shredding (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  10. Lorain County, OH, "Paper Shredding": loraincountyohio.gov/519/Paper-Shredding (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  11. Calvert County, MD, "County Paper Shredding Events": calvertcountymd.gov/index.aspx?NID=1747 (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  12. Monmouth County, NJ, "County Commissioners announce 16 paper shredding events for 2026": co.monmouth.nj.us/PressDetail.aspx?ID=4027 (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  13. Lake Michigan Credit Union, "LMCU Hosts Free Fall Shred Day Events Across Michigan": lmcu.org/…/lmcu-hosts-free-fall-shred-days-across-michigan (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  14. First American Credit Union, "Community Shred Day": firstamerican.org/community-shred (last checked Oct 27, 2026)
  15. FedEx Office, "FedEx Office inside Walmart": office.fedex.com/default/walmart (last checked Oct 27, 2026)