Margate and Longport Team Up for Free Document Shredding Day

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Margate residents can safely dispose of personal papers during the city’s annual Document Shredding Event, co-hosted with neighboring Longport. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the Margate Public Works Yard, located at 12th Street and Atlantic Avenue, and is open to residents of both towns.

Community Effort Against Identity Theft

This program is part of Margate’s ongoing push for neighborhood safety and sustainability. With identity theft and data breaches on the rise, properly destroying sensitive paperwork — from bank statements to medical bills — helps prevent personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

The shredding service is completely free. Participants simply drive up to the Public Works Yard, where staff and volunteers will unload boxes and feed them directly into the industrial shredders. Proof of residency (such as a driver’s license or utility bill) is required, but there’s no need to make an appointment.

Partnership Between Margate and Longport

The event represents a simple but effective regional collaboration. Longport and Margate have shared public works resources for years, often combining efforts for recycling drives and stormwater initiatives. According to both municipalities, joint events save taxpayer dollars and boost participation.

As one Margate staff member noted in last year’s recap, “When we coordinate with Longport, turnout nearly doubles. People appreciate not having to wait for their own town’s event.”

What Residents Should Know Before Arriving

• Limit paper volume to what can fit in a standard vehicle trunk.

• Remove binders, plastic sleeves, or metal clips — only paper is accepted.

• No batteries, garbage, or non-paper waste will be processed.

• Shredding continues until trucks reach full capacity, so early arrival is recommended.

These guidelines keep the operation running smoothly and allow the city’s recycling partner to properly handle shredded material for reuse.

Local Convenience With Lasting Impact

Margate’s event offers a small but valuable service — one that fits perfectly into the city’s community-first ethos. It encourages residents to clean out clutter responsibly while protecting personal information.

Families who’ve participated in previous years often comment on the peace of mind that comes with watching their paperwork vanish into the shredder within seconds. Many pair the outing with coffee or brunch nearby, turning a mundane task into a quick weekend errand.

Community Voices

According to Margate’s Public Works Department, these events also build trust. “People stop by just to say thank you,” said one volunteer. “They like knowing the city cares about practical safety.”

That local engagement, though subtle, reinforces a sense of connection between residents and their municipal team.

OCNJ Area Cooperation Expands

The collaboration between Margate and Longport mirrors a broader Downbeach trend of towns teaming up to solve shared challenges — from recycling logistics to flood control. By pooling resources, smaller municipalities can offer the same services as larger cities while maintaining the personal touch that residents expect.

Sources: Downbeach.com (Nov. 3, 2025); City of Margate Public Works; Longport Borough announcement

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