Tempe-based shredding company celebrates 12 years in business

Tempe’s Proshred Arizona, a family-owned, on-site document shredding service, marks 12 years of business in the Valley.

Patty and Joe Caradonna, along with their son Joe Caradonna Jr., opened Proshred Arizona, shortly after relocating to Arizona from New York.

According to a media release, the business started a decade ago with no customers and one truck, now having grown into a successful seven-figure company that serves over a thousand scheduled customers every year.

Patty and Joe Sr., who had owned a successful auto transport company for years, thought North Scottsdale would be the ideal place to spend their retirement.

This all changed when the couple saw a paper shredding truck completing a one-time purge at an event, leading to them launching Proshred Arizona, the release explained.

In the 12 years following its launch, the Caradonnas’ have welcomed their son into the organization, built up a fleet of six trucks capable of holding seven tons and expanded to seven employees who serve customers from Flagstaff to Tucson.

The Caradonnas are also proud to use their company to help give back to the community, the release detailed. For instance, they hold shredding events regularly where a portion of the proceeds are given to local organizations like St. Mary’s and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona.

Proshred Arizona also offers electronic shredding of items like hard drives. The company can also shred old garments, including uniforms, and all paper and electronics are recycled after being shredded, Joe Sr. noted in the release.

While Proshred Arizona can handle many types of paper, Joe Jr. said in the release that there are a few things they currently don’t accept for shredding.

“We are unable to shred X-rays or photo negatives because they contain hazardous chemicals that will contaminate a whole truck full of paper,” Joe Jr. stated, adding that he is truly proud of his parents and the way they embraced starting a second business.

The Caradonnas are also pleased to offer a service that not only rids homes of boxes and boxes of old documents — but also helps people avoid identity theft.

“Junk mail that says, ‘Current Resident’ and has a bar code has all of your demographics on it, and credit card offers are hackable,” Patty stated in the release, adding that rather than trying to shred mail at home, people are welcome to contact Proshred Arizona for help.

She advises that people should bring in these documents for disposal. Proshred Arizona offers drop-off services at its location, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more on Proshred Arizona, call 480-427-2733 or visit www.proshred.com/greater-phoenix.