It's a rare moment when a credit union sets a world record, but San Diego County Credit Union recently scored one for the books during an event dubbed “Shred Day.”
The $6.2 billionSDCCU said it collected and shredded more than 165,000 pounds of paper on July 20, setting a new Guinness World Record for the most paper collected in 24 hours.
“SDCCU has set the new world record and put San Diego on the map,” said TeresaHalleck,president/CEO of the 257,000-member credit union. “We are very grateful to our community for their support and being part of setting a world record. Moreover, we are happy that fewer individuals now have sensitive information sitting around their house.”
The credit union invited members and the general public to participate by bringing old documents containing personal and confidential information to the QualcommStadium parking lot inSan Diego's Mission Valley area. Documents were shredded on the spot by Shred-It, a document destruction and recycling company.
Since 2007, when SDCCU began hosting its free Shred Day events, more than 634,500 pounds of documents have been shredded and recycled at no charge, saving over 6,000 trees.
“SDCCU is committed to helping our customers and the community protect their confidential data and privacy,” Halleck said. “We are dedicated to preventing identity theft as well as our efforts to go green with our online banking services, such as e-statements and e-receipts.”
To promote this year's event, SDCCU partnered with local radio stations and businesses. Throughout the day, document contributors enjoyed free food, provided by Firehouse Subs and Rita's Italian Ice, and made donations to the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, raising more than $5,000, the credit union said.
Plus, the first 1,000 people who took advantage of SDCCU's free shredding services received a free gift. The credit union used social media and posted avideo to publicize the results and thank participants.
The previous record – 156,880 pounds of shredded paper – was set by television station KHQ 6, American West Bank and Secure Shred in Spokane, Wash., the credit union said.
Other credit unions also hold unusual world records, according to the Guinness World Records website. For example, the website notes that the record for the most people wearing red noses is 16,092 at the 2011 Credit Union Christmas Pageant in Adelaide, Australia, which was sponsored by four credit unions in South Australia – People's Choice Credit Union, Community CPS Australia, Credit Union SA and Police Credit Union.
The same group of credit unions also claimed the world record for largest group of carol singers (9,100) at the 2010 Credit Union Christmas Pageant, according to the website.
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