Paper Recycling Question

[Tilly2]

Is it really necessary to remove your address from any mail you might put in the recycling bin? We are scrupulous about removing address labels from anything we put in our recycle bin.
Can someone really steal your identity by using a travel company brochure addressed to you?

Do I really have to open the plastic bag, take out the introductory letter and shred it? I always do that and it's a chore!

[Prudie]

I don't know but I do the same as you and it is a chore.

[CrapAtCryptics]

We kept buying shredders that packed up every year or so and now I use a burning bin for everything with any personalisation on it - better to be safe than sorry for about 20 minutes a month.

[bednobs]

surely you have to open the plastic anyway?

[Prudie]

Not always, usually it's just junk

[Mamyalynne]

I think Bednobs means you need to separate the plastic bag for recycling purposes.

[Mamyalynne]

I do remove my address and account details, it is a pain if you let it mount up like I often do.

[Prudie]

paper and plastic go in together in my area, maybe that's not the same for everyone

[Gavmacp]

I shread everything that has information on it even receipts.

[Tilly2]

We get two or three travel brochures a day. We have our holidays for this year and next year already booked. I don't need to open the latest Jules Verne brochure. I just want to sling it in the bin but I don't. I open it and take out the introductory letter and then put the brochure in the recycle bin. I am then left with a letter with my name and address on it. That's the chore part

[frugalfred]

Likewise. Gavmacp - better safe than sorry! Also, I compost the shreds.

[Psybbo]

Chiminea, Tilly?

[Tilly2]

What can someone do with your address?

[Tilly2]

No, Sibs. No chiminea.

[Gavmacp]

It is quite amazing what someone could do with very little information on you.

[Tilly2]

Like what, Gav?

[EDDIE51]

The electoral role with names and addresses of everyone registered to vote is available to anyone that cares to look through it. I think there is an on line version as well. So someones name and address is public information. No point hiding an advert letter with your name and address on it. ( where do you think they get the lists of names and addresses from in the first place).
It is just stuff like bank statements that you need to worry about.

[Tilly2]

I don't have bank statements and I would never recycle anything that had an account number on it. So a name and address letter would be ok to recycle it seems.

Mr T has a thing about his tablet boxes. They have a name and address on them and he is meticulous about removing the label before he recycles the box.

[Buenchico]

It would never even occur to me to removed my name and address from envelopes.

As Eddie says, the information is in the public domain anyway through simply visiting local council offices and asking to see the electoral roll. (They MUST provide it by law). If you've not marked the box on the electoral registration form requiring that your details be withheld from the 'edited' roll, they're also available to individuals who subscribe to 192.com or to any commercial organisation that buys a copy of the edited roll from your council.

[Gavmacp]

Like pretending to be locked out of your house and getting a locksmith to open your front door. This was done on a programme many years ago.

[ummmm]

I don't have a shredder. I fill a bucket with boiling water and put all my paperwork in it. By the time it's cooled it turns to paper mache...