Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Shred-It, a Stericycle Company's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 307 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 62 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:03/12/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Stericycle / Shred-It falsely claimed to provide shredding pickup and services for over a year but never did. Despite paying over $2,500, no services were rendered.From October 2024 to March 2025, I filed four customer service claims and two cancellation requests with no resolution. They submitted the same photo as proof of service each month, despite never performing the work. The company is unreachablecustomer service offers no callback numbers, wont connect me with a manager, and keeps customers on hold for hours before hanging up. I cancelled services in October of 2024, which they acknowledged via email and over the phone, and I'm still being billed for service as of March 13th, 2025. This business is a scam, deliberately avoiding accountability while continuing to charge for nonexistent services.
Business Response
Date: 03/24/2025
We have reached out to ************ and have resolved her complaint. Ms. *********** experience has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.
Initial Complaint
Date:03/05/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
1/23/25 - I contacted Shred it for a quote 1/23/25 - ***** ****, Inside Sales *** responded and provided a price and a contract for on-site shredding of 50 small boxes, which I accepted and signed. I was told that I would be contacted for scheduling, which never happened.2/11/25 - The shredding truck showed up at the location unannounced and I was not there. The driver took approximately 15 boxes and said he did not have room for any more. I contacted ***** and expressed my disappointment. He had me sign a new contract for the return visit, which he said would honor the original quote and would not include a minimum since I had already fulfilled that in the first visit, and he said he would call me back before the end of business day to schedule a return visit. 2/14/25 - I reached out to ***** again via email because I never heard back from him regarding the return visit. Later in the day I heard from ****** ***** from customer care who wanted to schedule a return visit. I expressed my disappointment at having to wait such a long time, over a month since I first reached out to Shred-It. Also, I noticed at that time the the price in the new contract was incorrect. I responded to ****** that I needed to speak with ***** first.2/17/25 - I still never heard back from ***** but did receive an invoice via email that stated my debit card would be charged for all 50 boxes and inflated "fees" that totaled $1088.03. I reached out to ***** again via email and phone and let him know that the invoice was incorrect and NOT to charge my debit card until we were able to clear up this discrepancy. I never heard back from him. 2/18/25 - I heard from ****** ***** again wanting to schedule a return visit but I told her that due to a pricing error on their part, I needed to speak to ***** first. 2/20/25 - I reached out to ***** again but never heard back from him.2/25/25 - My debit card was charged the full and inv=correct amount of $1088.03Business Response
Date: 03/10/2025
We have reached out to Ms. *************** have resolved her complaint. Ms. ******** issue has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.
Customer Answer
Date: 03/11/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
***** ******Initial Complaint
Date:02/28/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
This company has made many cancellations to my pick up. My contract states I have 4 per year, last year they only came three times, the last being in Sept. It took months and months to get a new pick up date after that. Every month they continued to charge me and I disagree with that. So i have called many times to try and discuss this issue, along with cancelling the service and no one ever calls back. I get emails with reference numbers saying this is taken care of. But I stillhave a balance and I had someone come last week to pick up.Business Response
Date: 03/17/2025
We have continued worked with the customer and have resolved this complaint.Customer Answer
Date: 03/18/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
******* **********Initial Complaint
Date:02/25/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We have used shred it for yearS. Probably 8 years. Back in September/Oct 2024 they just stopped coming. I called and emailed and called and emailed some more. They gave me a ref #. Nothing happened. Called again and they said our account was deleted accidentally? ALL our bins had been full for 2 months. They decided to show up on Jan 20, 2025 ( a Holiday-MLK Day) and we were closed. They charged us $136.39 for doing nothing. The only reason they even showed in January was b/c I had to call them. They said I received an email on Jan 14th saying they would be coming. I did not. They may have sent it but I sure didnt get it. I asked that the invoice be removed from my account and they refused and said I needed to call their office if we were going to to be closed. Terrible customer service after they just stopped coming for months and I had contact them repeatedly. Very Disappointing!Business Response
Date: 03/03/2025
We have reached out to Ms. ******* and have resolved her complaint. Ms. *******' issue has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.Customer Answer
Date: 03/03/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
******* *******Initial Complaint
Date:02/25/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
When we originally met with a sales guy in person he told us things that we later found out were untrue. example, skipping services, and how long our contract was for. Yes it was our mistake not reading the contract better for length of service, but it wouldn't have been a problem had everything else he told us was true. These were small, new offices we were opening and knew we weren't going to need a lot of shred to begin with.I tried to cancel services in April ******************************************************************************************** 10 business days. After 2 weeks I contacted another service to take over shredding services just to find out 2 weeks later they had not cancelled our Shred It contract.I then had someone call me about it who was not our original sales person. She not only laughed at me on the phone, and talked down to me but told me there was no way to get out of our contract except to pay for it all up front. When I explained to her about what we were told/promised she continued to laugh at me as if I was the stupid one.The whole conversation felt threatening. She tried to tell me how to do everything cheaper, and what our contract actual meant with skipping service etc.We then suddenly closed an office in ************ on December 17th and all ********** were let go. I contacted Shred It as they were supposed to come Dec 20th for pick up.They said it would be 10 business days to get a final pick up arranged. I heard nothing back. I then contacted them again 1/30 and they said they were still in process of cancelling but would refund us for that pick up. I have not seen a credit for it yet. They tried to pick up in February again. I finally got notification they will pick up March 3rd and will set up a time to be ******** the meantime they also charged us for a visit where they didn't wait for someone to help them get the shred, it was around the Holidays and we had a skeleton crew.Business Response
Date: 03/12/2025
We have reached out to Ms. ****** and have resolved her complaint. Ms. ******** issue has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.Initial Complaint
Date:02/17/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
They have charged me consistently for pickup, but only showed up a couple times, i asked them to cancel, would not cancel, so they kept billing me, now they're telling me I signed a 60 month lease I did not sign. And I'll owe 400 to close the account. I would like them just to wip this away and cancel my account.Business Response
Date: 03/04/2025
We have been in constant contact with Ms. **** and have provided the requested documentation along with detailed a explanation regarding her concern. We sincerely hope Ms. **** is open to the resolution solution provided by our team.Initial Complaint
Date:02/10/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We have had service with Shred It for over 10 years, and we just realized they AUTO RENEW their contracts with NO WARNING! We are in the middle of another 5 year contract and our business is no longer able to pay the rent on time and keep all the bills paid unfortunately. When I called Shred It to pick up my bins as I can no longer afford, they said sorry you are under another 5 year contract! You would think a company that you have been with for so long would understand your financial status and end a contract without trying to make extra money off of you and with out any notification of a 5 year renewal automatically renewing without my knowledge.Business Response
Date: 02/24/2025
We have been in contact with Mr. ***** and are continuing to work towards the final resolution. We expect resolution this week.Customer Answer
Date: 02/24/2025
Complaint: 22920813
I am rejecting this response because: I don't have a final bill that states I don't owe any cancellation fees due to early termination due to unknowing knowing I was under a 5 year auto renewal. My bins still have not been picked up and I don't know what the final steps here are or what I should be expecting from Shred It in terms of any monies that may or not be owed...
Sincerely,
***** *****Business Response
Date: 03/04/2025
We have reached out to Mr. ***** to formally assist with the completion of his request. We appreciate him reaching out and allowing us to assist.Customer Answer
Date: 03/05/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
***** *****Initial Complaint
Date:02/06/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We have been using Shred-it for a few years now and I went to cancel our service approximately 2.5 weeks ago. I was given a reference number ******** and was told someone will call within 10 business days. After this call, our card was charged. I called again approximately two weeks after the initial call as no one called me. The reference number for the second call was ********. That *** said someone would call. That was 3 days ago and still no call. That *** put our service on hold. I don't want a service hold, I want to cancel service. This company offers no way to cancel service. Horrible company.Business Response
Date: 02/14/2025
We have reached out to Mr. ******* and have resolved his complaint. Mr. ******************** style="font-size: 0.875rem;"> issue has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.
Customer Answer
Date: 02/17/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
******* *******Initial Complaint
Date:01/18/2025
Type:Status:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I contacted Shred It in November of 2024 and agreed to have them come to my office to dispose of 280 small boxes and 32 large boxes. I signed an agreement that set the charges for the small boxes at $14 per small box for the larger boxes at $16.88 a box. The calculations were made, and I agreed to those terms. Once the work was completed I was sent an invoice with undisclosed and hidden fees nearly $1500 more than what the agreement called for. No one could have anticipated these excess charges, which were nearly 33% more than what the agreement set out, since the excess charges were never discussed nor were they laid out in the four corners of the agreement. This is an unfair business practice which anyone contemplating contracting with Shred It should be aware of and on guard for, if they tempt fate and do business with them.Business Response
Date: 02/03/2025
We have reached out to Mr. ***** and have resolved his complaint. Mr. ****** issue has been escalated to leadership to review process and coach the team.Initial Complaint
Date:01/17/2025
Type:Status:ResolvedMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am the owner of a veterinary clinic in *******, ** since 2021. I continued to use Stericycle, a sharps/waste management pick up service, that the previous owner used. $29.42 was taken out of my business checking account automatically each month. They would pick up our sharps containers 3 - 4 times a year. In spring 2024, I realized they had not picked up in over 1 year. When I called, they said my account was showing inactive, even though still taking money out monthly. They said they had recently had ownership changes, likely the error on their part, and would reactivate my account and I would get a call from an account specialist. No call, no service. I canceled my service via multiple calls, emails to the company in May 2024. I had my checking account info removed so no further payments could be taken out. I have continued to get bills in the mail, emailed, and now letters from a "pre-collections agency" saying late on payments, etc. I have multiple full sharps containers since no pick up in nearly 2 years now, yet they continued taking my money out automatically. There is clearly a language barrier each time I have called in since May. I am told they will have someone call me and they will get it handled. Then no call, and I keep getting more bills, late notices, etc. While I should get my money refunded for the year plus of payments I made, despite getting no service, I simply want them to stop harassing me and make the balance due zero. I have an online veterinary forum across the country, and all providers are having this same issue. Some even having to go to court to get them to stop the harassment. I have notes of all phone calls and have saved all emails they sent, as well as mine to them. Please just let me know what documentation you would like. Thank you.Business Response
Date: 02/04/2025
We have been in constant contact with the customer and are pending resolution.Customer Answer
Date: 02/12/2025
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
Dr. ******** ******
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